Mwamba coach Joseph Babu expects a stern test against Northern Suburbs in the women's Kenya Cup final on Saturday.
Babu's charges made light work of Shamberere Viqueens to win 81-0 over the weekend but a tougher test awaits as Mwamba seek a third Kenya Cup crown in succession.
"It will be a tough test against Suburbs. They are a well-trained side but I believe if my girls play to their potential, we can win,” added Babu.
The coach said the side has to improve their mental fortitude and ball handling come the final on Saturday.
“Our mental strength when challenged by tough teams will have to be sharper alongside our ball handling which let us down in our previous matches,” added Babu.
When the two teams met in the pool phase, Mwamba won 18-12—a performance Babu termed the worst of the season.
“We did not play to our strengths. We got the win but I told the girls they must step it up for future matches.|
The tactician observed they would play a territory game come the final and dominate the setpiece.
" A final comes down to doing the basics right and if we can play in the right areas and win the scrum and lineout, then I believe we will emerge victorious,” noted Babu.
He observed that the standards of women's 15's rugby have improved in the past couple of years.
“If you look back 10-15 years ago, the women's game was still in its infancy but right now, the intensity and physicality from the teams in the league is good and it will help our Lionesses in future international matches."
Mwamba led 48-0 in the one-sided duel with Terry Ayesa scoring a hattrick. Stacy Otieno and Naomi Amuguni scored a brace with Jane Chanya, Natasha Emali, Maureen Chebet, Edith Muchele and Faith Livoi scoring a try each.
Northern Suburbs beat Rongo 29-9 in the other semifinal. Mwamba bagged the 2022 title — winning 15-11. In last year’s final, they came from a 14-point deficit (17-3) at half-time to stun Impala 21-20.
