Kenya’s Lionesses and Shujaa are on the move once again as they head to the next destinations of the HSBC SVNS 2 series, with the aim of moving closer to the top tier of the HSBC SVNS 1 competition.
The two teams will begin with Montevideo, Uruguay on the 21st to the 22nd of March, before moving to São Paulo, Brazil a week later. The two matches promise to be crucial in determining who will make it to the top tier of the competition come next season.
The two teams know what to improve on as they head out of Nairobi.
The Lionesses have made some changes to the team with Faith Livoi and Christabel Lindo returning to the fold after missing out on the last matches. The team will once again be led by Sheila Chajira, with Naomi Amuguni, Charity Nillah, and Janet Okello forming the rest of the team.
Captain Sheila Chajira had this to say before the journey to Uruguay and Brazil.
“We are grateful to our fans for the amazing support we received during our last matches in Nairobi. We now head to Uruguay and Brazil with the aim of winning our matches and securing a spot in Division One. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Safaricom, through M-PESA, for supporting our development, on and off the pitch.”
For Shujaa, the core squad is the same with a few key changes. Brian Tanga returns from injury, and Gabriel Ayimba makes the squad for the first time.
The rest of the squad comprises the same experienced players as before, including George Ooro, Samuel Asati, and Vincent Onyala.
Shujaa finished third in Nairobi, with the Lionesses placing fifth at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa praised the teams’ perseverance and encouraged them to maintain the success as the next fixtures draw near.
“Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses have once again demonstrated the grit, discipline, and fighting spirit that define the Kenyan rugby teams. Backed by M-PESA through our partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union, the teams can now concentrate on their game. I wish them the very best as they head to Uruguay and Brazil for the next rounds of the HSBC SVNS 2,” he said.
The teams are supported by the partnership between M-PESA and the the Kenya Rugby Union, which helps cover player needs like allowances and medical care.
With only a few rounds left, the upcoming matches could decide whether Kenya’s teams make it back to the top level. For now, all eyes will be on how they perform in South America.