• RUGBY

• Frank Rotich 5 days ago

Lionesses hoping for a miracle as Shujaa eye strong finish in Sao Paulo

Kenya’s national rugby sevens teams head into a decisive weekend in Brazil, with the Lionesses fighting to stay alive and Shujaa aiming to secure a top-four finish in the final leg of the HSBC SVNS Division 2 series.

The two-day tournament, set for March 28 to 29 in São Paulo, will determine which teams progress, and the pressure is high for both Kenyan sides—though their situations are very different.

For the Kenya Lionesses, the task is clear but difficult. They must deliver a near-perfect performance to keep their qualification hopes alive.

After a slow start to the series, the Lionesses have struggled for consistency, managing just one win in each of the first two legs.

In Nairobi, they finished fifth with 12 points, and their trip to Montevideo, Uruguay, brought similar disappointment, as they ended last with 10 points. That run has left them sixth overall with 22 points heading into the final round.

Argentina lead the standings with 40 points, while South Africa and Spain are tied on 34. China currently hold the crucial fourth spot with 28 points, six ahead of Kenya.

With only one qualification slot realistically within reach, the Lionesses must win matches consistently and hope that China slip up. Even then, qualification could be decided by fine margins such as head-to-head results.

Despite the tough odds, the Lionesses still have a slim chance—but anything less than a strong showing in São Paulo will end their campaign.

On the other hand, Shujaa head into the final leg in a much stronger position. The men’s team are currently third overall with 32 points and are well placed to secure qualification.

They hold a four-point advantage over fourth-placed Uruguay and are eight points ahead of both Canada and Belgium. A top-four finish in São Paulo will be enough to keep their World Championship hopes on track.

Shujaa have impressed in the earlier rounds and will be looking to maintain that momentum. Avoiding mistakes and staying consistent will be key as they face tough opponents over the weekend.

Both teams have a busy schedule ahead. The Lionesses will face Argentina, South Africa, and Spain on Saturday before taking on China and Brazil on Sunday.

Shujaa, meanwhile, will play Germany, Belgium, and Canada on Saturday, followed by matches against the USA and Uruguay on Sunday.

As the final whistle approaches in São Paulo, the Lionesses will be chasing a miracle, while Shujaa will be focused on finishing the job and booking their place among the top teams.