Kenya Lionesses head coach Dennis Mwanja has expressed confidence in his team’s preparation as they head into the second leg of the 2025 Challenger Series.

After securing a dominant first-place finish in the opening leg with a maximum 20 points, the Lionesses are determined to maintain their winning momentum and take another step toward HSBC Series qualification.

“The players are in a good state of mind, and we had a productive field session yesterday to refine our skills. Today, we had a training session followed by the captain’s run, which served as a final opportunity to polish our skills in a compressed format,” Mwanja said.

He emphasized the importance of players stepping up and taking ownership of their performance on the field.

“At this stage, the players must take ownership, stepping up without the coach’s voice, and channeling their determination towards winning. Their leadership on the field will be crucial in achieving both the team’s and the coaching staff’s vision.”

With a spot in the HSBC Series Playoffs within reach, the Lionesses will be looking for another strong performance to keep their ambitions alive. The team is placed in Pool A alongside Uganda and Belgium, setting the stage for competitive clashes.

“The team is ready to hit the ground running tomorrow and give their all. This is an exciting time for women’s rugby and the Lionesses as a whole. We appreciate the support from our union and sponsors, and we look forward to a great outing,” Mwanja added.

A successful outing in this leg will boost the Lionesses’ chances of advancing to the third and decisive leg in Krakow, Poland, where a top-four finish would secure them a place in the Playoffs in Los Angeles.