The Kenya Lionesses closed their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup journey with a commanding statement, dismantling Uganda’s Lady Cranes 49-0 in their final match at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
With everything on the line and both teams chasing victory and praying for a favorable result between South Africa and hosts Madagascar it was Kenya who seized the moment. The Lionesses delivered a near-flawless performance, asserting their dominance in every phase of the game.
The match got off to a scrappy start, with both sides struggling to find rhythm amid handling errors and missed chances. But once Kenya found their footing, there was no looking back.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when prop Natasha Emali crossed the whitewash following sustained pressure from Kenya’s relentless forwards. That try opened the floodgates.
Uganda’s woes deepened when Proscovia Mukyala was sin-binned for an infringement in the maul, leaving the Lady Cranes exposed. Kenya capitalized immediately lock Faith Livoi launched a pick-and-go move deep in Uganda’s 22, and Sheila Chajira powered over for the second try.
Not long after, Nolin Khaleyi bulldozed through the defensive line to extend the lead, and the Lionesses went into the break with a comfortable 20-0 advantage. Strong winds made conversion attempts difficult, but Kenya’s try-scoring form more than compensated.
The second half was all Kenya. Their pressure forced a penalty try early on before substitute Stellah Wafula added to Uganda’s misery with a well-taken score. Maureen Murita’s sharp playmaking came into focus as she fed vice-captain Edith Nariaka with a clean inside pass Nariaka did the rest, slicing through the defense for another try.
Wafula would return late in the game to grab her second, putting the final stamp on a ruthless 49-0 performance.
With this emphatic win, the Lionesses not only finished their campaign on a high but also reminded the continent of their power, precision, and growing pedigree in women’s rugby.
