Kenya Lionesses forward Naomi Amuguni believes the national women's rugby Sevens side still has a strong chance of finishing in the top four of the 2026 HSBC Division Two Sevens Series, despite a challenging start in the opening leg staged in Nairobi.

As the Kenya Lionesses prepare for the grueling trek to South America, the mood in the Kasarani training camp is one of quiet, steely determination. The team, coached by Simon Odongo, is currently deep in a week-long residential high-performance program, fine-tuning tactics ahead of the second leg of the HSBC SVNS Division Two tournament scheduled for March 21-22 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The stakes could not be higher. With the global sevens landscape shifting, the Lionesses are chasing a top-three finish in the Montevideo and São Paulo legs to secure a coveted spot in the World Championship playoffs. For a team that has historically relied on grit and raw talent, this structural move toward a formalized pathway represents the biggest test of their professionalism to date.

The Nairobi Lesson: Learning Under Pressure

The opening leg in Nairobi was a humbling experience for the home side. Despite the vocal support of the Kenyan crowd, the Lionesses finished fifth with five points, struggling to find the consistency required to dismantle top-tier defensive structures. Their only victory came in the opener against Brazil (15–12), a game that showcased the team's explosive potential but also highlighted lapses in concentration that cost them against China and Argentina.

Naomi Amuguni, the formidable front-rower who anchors the pack, remains undeterred. "It was our first experience in the Nairobi edition introduced by World Rugby," Amuguni noted during a training break. "We have learned from our mistakes. We are not on the back foot; we still have a path to the top four."

• Key Takeaways from Nairobi:
• Inconsistency in defensive line speed against clinical opposition.
• A need for better ball retention during high-pressure phases.
• Strong set-piece reliability that must be converted into attacking territory.

Strategic Shifts in Conditioning

Strength and conditioning coach Jeff Onyango has been the architect of the team's resurgence plan. Unlike the men's circuit where domestic leagues provide a consistent stream of match-ready players, the women's game in Kenya often requires a more intensive national camp environment to bridge fitness gaps.

The training regimen at Kasarani has focused on three pillars:

• Aerobic Capacity: Increasing the base to survive high-tempo matches in the humid conditions expected in Montevideo.
• Recovery Protocols: Utilizing cryotherapy and specialized nutrition to mitigate fatigue across the tournament weekend.
• Tactical Restarts: Improving the accuracy of kick-off receipts, an area where the Lionesses conceded possession far too easily during the Nairobi leg.

The team is set to depart for Uruguay on March 15, navigating a significant time difference and a long-haul flight that will test their travel-readiness. The coaching staff is emphasizing "proactive preparation," ensuring that the players are acclimated to the colder temperatures and shifting winds of the Atlantic coast before the first whistle blows.

The Road Ahead: A Crucible of Talent

The Montevideo tournament will feature familiar foes: South Africa, Argentina, China, and Colombia. Each side is fighting for the same slim margin of qualification, making every possession critical. Coach Simon Odongo has been clear: there is no room for error. The focus is on a top-three finish, which would provide the necessary points cushion for the final leg in São Paulo.

For players like Amuguni, who have transitioned through the local Impala Saracens setup to the national stage, this is more than just a tournament; it is a chance to validate the investment in Kenyan women's rugby. The squad is not just playing for themselves but for the next generation of girls watching from the touchlines in Nairobi, hopeful that their path to the world stage becomes increasingly clearer. As the Lionesses board their flight next week, the narrative is simple: redemption in Montevideo is not just a hope—it is a requirement.