Kenya international Stella Wafula was named Player of the Match as the Kenya Lionesses secured a dominant 63-19 victory over Madagascar in a test match at RFUEA Grounds on Friday evening.
Wafula was in stellar form, contributing two tries, including the first of the match and the Lionesses’ ninth try to seal the win.
Kenya Lionesses revenge
The Lionesses sought revenge after a narrow 29-22 loss to Madagascar in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, which had cost them a spot in both the Rugby World Cup and the WXV3 tournament in Dubai.
They made a powerful statement this time around, overwhelming Madagascar with an emphatic win.
The match got off to a thrilling start, with a total of 50 points scored in the first half. Madagascar struck first when Zouanah Fanantenana finished off a smooth backline move, and Ericka Razanakiniaina added the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.
Kenya responded swiftly. Grace Okulo’s short pass found a charging Stella Wafula, who powered through to score the Lionesses’ first try. Kenya then gained control with a line-out following a well-placed 50-22 kick. A powerful maul nearly resulted in a try, but a collapsed maul led to a yellow card for Madagascar and a penalty try for Kenya, giving them a 12-7 lead.
Kenya extended their advantage as another maul led to a second try, pushing the score to 19-7. The Lionesses continued to dominate, with Sinaida Nyachio’s well-timed kick allowing Freshia Awino to ground the ball and stretch the lead to 24-7.
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Maurine Chebet added a centre-post try, converted by Okulo, making it 31-7. Though Madagascar responded with a try from Vero Rasoanekena, Diana Kemunto’s brilliant dummy and try took Kenya to a commanding 36-14 lead by halftime.
Madagascar’s Rasoanekena opened the second half with her second try, but Kenya quickly regained control. Okulo extended the Lionesses’ lead, and Wafula capitalized on Madagascar’s poor decision to run the ball from their own zone, scoring her second try. After a successful conversion, Kenya led 48-19.
Kenya Lionesses stella Wafula tackled. PHOTO/ Rugby Afrique/Facebook
Sheila Chajira then added a try, diving over after a quick tap penalty to push the score to 53-19. A cross-kick from Madagascar bounced favourably for Kenya, allowing Nyachio to race clear for another try. Nyachio’s final contribution came with an up-and-under kick, which was superbly claimed by Freshia Awino for the Lionesses’ last try of the match.
Madagascar will now head to Dubai for the WXV3 tournament, while the Kenya Lionesses can celebrate a resounding victory on home soil.
