Interim coach Simon Odongo has issued a rallying cry: the Kenya Lionesses must set the tone this weekend as the World Rugby Sevens Division Two Series opens at Nyayo Stadium. Fresh from a high-performance camp in Alicante, Spain, Odongo wants a statement on home soil before the circuit moves on to Uruguay and Brazil in March.
A Launchpad for a Bigger Dream
This tournament is more than a weekend of sevens; it is the opening chapter of a campaign with a clear ambition — core-team status by season’s end. Odongo reminded reporters that last season’s successes, including two-leg wins in South Africa and a podium finish in Krakow, Poland, are lessons to be sharpened rather than trophies to rest on. “We have experience from last season, and that will help us on this journey,” he said, adding that the team’s ultimate goal is to become a core team.
Setback Turned Fuel
When World Rugby altered the qualification format before the Los Angeles final leg last year, Kenya’s bid stalled. Rather than crumble, Odongo says the disruption forged mental toughness. “It made us mentally tougher. It was a decision beyond our control, but it has motivated us,” he explained. Now the Lionesses have a fresh opportunity — and a hunger to seize it from the first whistle.
Tactical Edge and Spanish Sharpening
The week in Alicante wasn’t just about fitness; it was a laboratory for positional shifts and tactical tweaks. Odongo hinted at adjustments that could prove decisive over the two-day tournament, noting that matches against Belgium and Spain in training exposed areas to refine. The message is clear: expect a smarter, more adaptable Lionesses side.
Pool Dynamics and Home Advantage
Kenya has been drawn in Pool A alongside China and Spain, a stern test that Odongo welcomes. “They are two very strong teams, but we will take one game at a time. With the backing of the home crowd, we are looking to perform,” he said. Pool B features Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. Day two will see cross-pool clashes before semifinals and finals decide the weekend’s pecking order.
The Stakes Beyond Nyayo
This Division Two series is a stepping stone to a three-leg World Championship in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux. The top eight teams from that series will earn places in the 2026–2027 World Rugby Sevens Series, while the bottom four face relegation. For the Lionesses, Nyayo is the first chance to roar — and to prove they belong among the world’s elite.
