National women 15s rugby team, Kenya Lionesses, are in high spirits ahead of their clash with the Toucans of Colombia in today’s Women’s Rugby World Cup repechage qualifier set to take place at Nyayo National Stadium from 4pm.

 The Lionesses are doing everything they can to overcome the South American’s in their quest to make history by qualifying to the women’s premier international rugby competition for the first time.

Coach Felix Oloo is rooting for his girls to rise to the big occasion and deliver the much-awaited victory to the home fans to keep their dream of featuring in the Women’s Rugby World Cup rescheduled for October 8 to November 12, 2022 in New Zealand alive.

“We are going all out to play our very best [rugby] until the final whistle,” an upbeat Oloo told World Rugby.

Oloo, however, acknowledged that their opponents are not pushovers considering that they are physically bigger but he remains optimistic, saying that Kenya is ready to match them upfront with the athleticism of the sevens players expected to play a big role in securing the win.

“They [Colombia] have very big forwards so we are working hard to see how we can neutralise them in this area and use that to our advantage.

We know their strengths and they know our strengths as well and both of us are working hard to see who can out-smart the other,” said Oloo.

Little changes are  anticipated from the side that led South Africa 27-22 with two minutes to go only for the hosts to steal a last-minute converted try to win the encounter 29-27, Monday last week.