Kenya Lionesses' Judith Auma fends off a Malagasy opponent during last year's Africa Cup Sevens in Accra, Ghana/FILEKenya Lionesses interim coach Simon Odongo believes mental fortitude will be key during the Africa Cup Sevens at the RFUEA ground on November 14-17.
The hosts face Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in Pool ‘B’ and Odongo assured that his charges will not underestimate the opposition.
“This is a competitive championship and being the home team, we have a target on our back; play well from the first to the last whistle,” said Odongo.
The Lionesses were runners-up last year, losing 17-10 to South Africa in an entertaining final in Accra, Ghana.
Odongo believes the disappointment will spur the team to victory.
“We lost the final in the last play and that will fuel the girls to do well on home soil. The girls have matured and grown since then, playing in the Challenger Series and we will be ready for this championship,” observed Odongo.
He said the Africa Cup Sevens will be a good platform to build on for the World Sevens Division Two, which starts in February.
“It will be a good test of our skills, strategy, execution and depth. We must rise to the occasion and win the title on home soil,” added Odongo.
“We will go to camp for a week. We have 22 players to choose from, including some who played for the CUbs at the Safari Sevens, making selection competitive. We hope to pick the best for the championship,” said Odongo.
Champions South Africa are in Pool ‘A’ alongside Zimbabwe and Mauritius.
Uganda, Zambia and Burkina Faso are in Pool ‘C’.
Kenya and South Africa have qualified for the World Sevens Series Division Two, where they will be joined by one more team from the continental Sevens.
Kenya Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo said preparations for the championship are on and that the union will provide key updates as they unfold.
