Kenya Lionesses head coach Felix Oloo has named a provisional squad of 40 players ahead of Elgon Cup and 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
The communication from Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) said the players will be part of the squad that will be competeing at the Elgon Cup women side set for Kisumu next weekend and will be trimmed to compete at the 2021 qualifiers.
The squad includes Irene Otieno, Mitchelle Akinyi, Stacey Atieno, Phila Olando, Celestine Masinde, Sheila Chajira, Camila Cynthia, Grace Adhiambo, Janet Okello, Janet Owino and Diana Awino.
Oloo started off with a 50-player squad which was then narrowed down to 40 after the first week of skills tests. Within the next three weeks, Oloo confirms that the performance has improved massively in the set pieces and in the backline.
“Given that we are in the same pool with Uganda in the RWC Qualifiers, the Elgon Cup match will come in very handy for us as we are able to gauge our performance,” said Oloo.
The ladies hold their training sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at the RFUEA Grounds.
The first Elgon Cup leg is on 22nd June in Kisumu and the return leg in Kampala Uganda on the 13th of July.
The World Cup qualifiers will kick off one month after the Elgon Cup return leg and will run from the 9th to the 17th of August in Johannesburg. Kenya is in Pool A alongside Uganda, Madagascar and South Africa.
The winner of the tournament will qualify directly to the World Cup while the second best team will play a match against a selected team from South America and join the global repechage tournament if victorious.
Lionesses 15s squad:
Hellen Achieng, Peruce Mayuka, Marindany Faith, Naomi Kemunto, Millicent Opala, Victoria Gichure, Emmaculate Awuor, Juliet Nyambura, Evelyne Kalamera,
Stephanie Waithira, Anne Njeri, Irene Otieno, Imogen Hooper, Mitchelle Akinyi, Stacey Atieno, Knight Otwoma, Asenath Oketeth, Winnie Owino, Winfred Maina,
Bernadette Olesia, Philadelphia Olando, Celestine Masinde, Sheila Chajira, Camilla Cynthia, Grace Adhiambo, Vivian Akumu, Janet Okello, Janet Owino, Anne Gorety,
Agatha Jamari, Diana Awino, Sophia Ayieta, Christabel Tata, Stella Wafula, Angeline Apiyo, Enid Ouma, Leah Njogu, Mercy Migongo, Veronica Wairimu.
Source: Ragahouse.com