Kenya Lionesses secured victory in the HSBC Challenger Series after overcoming Argentina in the final played in Cape Town.
This win was crucial in earning the team a place in the third round, scheduled for next weekend at Athlone Stadium, also in Cape Town.
The Lionesses kicked off their campaign with a dominant 20-5 victory over Samoa before thrashing Poland 29-5 in their second match. Their impressive group stage performance set up a high-stakes semifinal against hosts and favorites South Africa.
In a tightly contested match, Kenya edged out South Africa 19-15, earning a spot in the final against Argentina.
Kenya and Argentina were no strangers to each other, having met previously at the Monaco 7s in June 2024, where the Lionesses secured a narrow 15-12 victory.
Argentina started with possession, but Kenya quickly gained control, with Judith Okumu making a strong break before being stopped by the Argentine defense. A series of well-coordinated passes set up Grace Adhiambo, who outmaneuvered the defenders to score the opening try. She successfully converted, giving Kenya an early lead.
Argentina responded with a counterattack, testing Kenya’s defense. A handling error by the Lionesses handed Argentina a scrum, which they capitalized on with a try down the left flank. However, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, allowing Kenya to hold onto a slim lead at halftime.
The second half saw Argentina pushing hard for a breakthrough, but Kenya remained composed. A scrum in Kenya’s favor led to Okumu sprinting over 80 meters to score the team’s second try, though the conversion went wide.
Argentina struggled to gain momentum, making errors that allowed Kenya to maintain control. From another scrum, Sinaida Mokaya set up Adhiambo, who crossed the whitewash for her second try. Despite another missed conversion, Kenya remained in the driver’s seat.
Argentina narrowed the gap with a converted try, but the Lionesses held their ground until the final whistle, securing the HSBC Challenger Series title.
