Kenya Lionesses 2021 World Cup hopes have ended after a narrow 16-15 loss to Colombia in a World Cup repechage qualifier match played at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.
Winger Maria Alzuaga played a major role in Colombia’s win, scoring for all their 16 points. Colombia will now join Samoa and two more sides at the Repechage slated for Dubai in January 2022 with the winner heading to the World Cup slated for New Zealand later that year.
The first half saw Maria Alzuaga kick in two penalties for a 6-0 lead. She later added a try for her side to lead 11-0. Kenya fought back heading in the break and a patient build-up saw back-rower Leah Wambui touch down off a ruck after Bernadette Olesia’s big carry.
Grace Odhiambo drilled in a conversion that put the scores at 11-7 heading to the locker rooms for the breather.
At the start of the second half, Kenya Lionesses closed in on Colombia with Adhiambo belting in a penalty that saw Felix Oloo charges trail by a point.
The Lionesses led for the first time in the match after Centre Janet Okello quickly tapped the ball following a penalty in Colombia’s zone. She then accelerated to touch down for a 15-11 lead after a missed conversion by Adhiambo.
Kenya were reduced to 13 after yellow cards to backrowers Wambui and Mitchelle Akinyi following successive offences. The visitors made their extra numbers count as they went for a scrum and attacked the right side for Alzuaga to land her second try of the match at the right corner
Failure to add the conversion saw Colombia lead by just a point. Colombia held on in the final 12 minutes to win the match 16-15.
Kenya Lionesses: 15.Sinaida Nyachio, 14. Sinaida Aura, 13. Janet Okello, 12. Philadelphia Olando, 11.Christabel Lindo, 10.Grace Adhiambo, 9. Judith Auma, 1.Juliet Nyambura (capt), 2. Staycy Atieno, 3. Evelyne Kalemera, 4. Bernadette Olesia, 5. Peruce Muyuka, 6. Mitchelle Akinyi, 7. Enid Ouma, 8. Leah Wambui
REPLACEMENTS 16. Knight Otwoma, 17. Mercy Migongo, 18. Rose Otieno, 19. Naomi Amuguni, 20. Laureen Akoth, 21. Faith Marindany, 22. Sarah Oluche, 23. Moreen Muritu
Colombia: 15.Valentina Tapias, 14. Leidy Garcia, 13. Leidy Soto, 12. Daniela Alzate, 11. Maria Alzuaga, 10. Maria Lopera, 9. Andrea Ramirez, 1. Luxora Suarez, 2. Camila Cardona, 3. Claudia Betancur, 4. Maribel Mestra, 5. Katherine Vallejo, 6. Catalina Arango, 7. Laura Alvarez, 8. Nicole Acevedo
REPLACEMENTS 16. Natalia Barajas, 17. Sharon Morales, 18. Angela Lozano, 19. Annagith Vargas, 20. Valeria Cuartas, 21. Yina Quintero, 22. Laura Diosa, 23. Isabel Romero