Standard Chartered Impala has received with great delight the news of selection of 4 girls to the Kenya Lionesses.
Speaking to our media team earlier on this afternoon, Maria Otieno who has guided the girls from when they couldn’t pass a ball to an inch closer to national team duty confirmed, “We have received the confirmation from KRU with a lot of happiness. Our girls have been working very hard over the years & this week, it has become clear that their efforts have found meaning.”
When asked about Judith Auma, she remarked, “Judith has proven that size does not matter. Her track record for club & country is clear. She has represented Kenya in the Commonwealth games & was also in the team that won the Africa Championship in Botswana. She is a very sly scrum-half and can be trusted with sweeping duties at any time. Her hard tackle and determination in training are strengths that should get her a permanent Kenya Lionesses spot. She is only 22 and has a decade more to play. Be ready to see more of her.”
Maria has a lot of confidence in Diana Awino, the 25 year old who knows how to utilize her strengths. “Diana is not beefy, but her ability to create space and attack with ferocity are two of the qualities that should keep her in that team. Her tackling is also devastating to opponents who mistake her for a walk-over on one on one situations. Her attitude is to be emulated. She is the unifying factor whenever the girls come together for training. Her love for the sport goes deeper than just playing. She coaches the Age Grade unit at Impala during the weekends & school holidays.”
“Stella Wafula joined Impala this year after completing her high school education at Nasokol in Western Kenya. I have never come before a player who has high esteem of herself like Stella does. I remember just before we walked through the tunnel to play Homeboyz in the final of the Stanchart Women’s 7s tournament held on 22nd September 2018, she assured me that Homeboyz were not going to beat us. And true to her word, we won the match 12-7. She has a big fend & an even bigger future in rugby.”
“Ever since Christabel Tata moved from Northern Suburbs to Impala, her playing style has changed for the better. She has grown to become more agile, cleverer and faster. You can imagine what a hooker who has the 3 qualities can do to a defence line which assumes forwards will simply charge into contact. Her deployment in that position could be the blessing Kenya Lionesses coach – Kevin Mwema has been waiting for. She also has a polished boot and can kick for territory & goal with accuracy. Her hunger for the try-line is documented. She tied on 4 tries with Stella Wafula to take home a shared ’Top Try Scorers’ memento. She can easily go pro if she decides to.”
Otieno goes on to add, “The selectors have shown interest in a fifth player: Ann Koki who plays fly-half/centre. She will be undergoing trials with the team on Friday 5th October 2018. I wish her all the best as she knocks on that Kenya Lionesses door.”
Kenya Lionesses Provisional Squad
Standard Chartered Impala: Judith Auma, Diana Awino, Stella Wafula, Christabel Tata Nakuru: Grace Adhiambo, Angeline Apiyo, Homeboyz: Sheilla Chajira Leah Njogu, Camilla Cynthia, Linet Moraa, Sophia Ayieta, Enid Ouma. Mwamba: Janet Okello, Sarah Oluche, Terry Ayesa, Celestine Masinde, Agatha Jamary. Northern suburbs: Philadelphia Olando, Sinaida Aura, Janet Kerubo, Faith Keino. Shamas: Phoebe Akinyi, Maureen Atieno. Comras: Dorcas Akinyi. Barchando: Lorraine Akoth