The Kenya Lionesses arrived safely in Madagascar for the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup that’s taking place from 5th to 16th June 2025.
The Kenya Lionesses Head Coach has named his starting 23 lineup ahead today as the ladies prepare to face the hosts. The team that will be led by Captain Enid Ouma will see the front row start with Natasha Emali as the loosehead prop, Naomi Muhanji slots in as the starting hooker in this match as Jane Chanya comes in as the tight-head prop.
In the loose forwards positions, Phoebe Akinyi and Maureen Chebet will be handling the matters as the locks while, Naomi Amuguni, Captain Enid Ouma and the experienced Sheila Chajira will be tacking matters as the starting back row starters.
Edith Nariaka and Grace Adhiambo are the half-back pairing who will be pulling the strings between the forwards and backs in this match. An experienced backline of Kenya Lionesses stars step in to make a formidable backline that has Faith Livoi and Freshia Owino calling shorts at the Blind and Open wings respectively while, Stella Wafula, Moreen Muritu and Sinaida Mokaya complete the back three.
In the bench, Coach Simon Odongo has named the following players: 16: Knight Otwoma, 17: Noleen Khaleyi, 18:, Sheila Wesa, 19: Naomi Jegalagt, 20: Doris Kimani, 21: Ann Njeri, 22: Christabel Lindo, 23: Diana Awino.
Speaking after the selection, the Lionesses 15s Head Coach Simon Odongo had this to say, “Every player has been sharp in training. But the 23 we’ve selected have looked sharpest this week and ready to take on Madagascar. We are treating every game as a final and as always you go with the sharpest in camp.
Doris Kimani has really stood out in training and earns her debut as she brings a lot of hunger and energy in the squad and has a lot of positive. Noleen and Njeri have been in the squad before but offer a different attacking threat once they come in as we always want to take the game to another level every time. They also cover most positions on the field hence they are good cover options to have for any coach.”
The Lionesses game versus Madagascar kicks off at 3:00pm EAT on Saturday 7th June 2025 and the match will be live on RugbyPass Tv.
