The Kenya Lionesses are set to face an in-form China at 7:01 p.m. in the Repechage 7s final as they seek to qualify for their third consecutive Olympic Games.
To reach the final, the Lionesses fought hard and had to hang on for a narrow 12-10 victory over Czechia in the semi-final.
Kenya Lionesses start
Kenya advanced to this stage after three consecutive wins, including back-to-back triumphs over Argentina, while Czechia had eliminated an unbeaten Uganda in the group stages.
Kenya Lionesses Judith Okumu prepares to past against Samoa. PHOTO/Rugby Afrique/Facebook
After several minutes of possession, Naomi Amuguni picked the ball from a ruck and spotted a gap, sneaking past the defence to score a centre-post try, which was successfully converted for a 7-0 lead.
The second try came from speedster Janet Okello, who was set up by Judith Okumu. Okello rounded her marker and landed the second try of the match.
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Czechia struggled with possession as the Lionesses continued to dominate. They managed to pull back with a try from Kristýna Riegertová, making it 12-5 in the second half.
In the final minutes, the Lionesses failed to score, leading to a nervy finish. A forward pass earned Czechia a scrum in the final seconds of the game, and they raced to score a try that needed to be reviewed, as it was believed that Judith Okumu had dispossessed the ball carrier.
Kenya Lionesses duo celebrate. Photo Courtesy/KRU
After a TMO review, the try was awarded, but Julie Doležilová’s conversion attempt, which would have tied the scores at 12-12, fell short, leaving the Lionesses in jubilation as they secured their spot in the final.
