Kenya Lionesses playmaker Grace Adhiambo joins French Club Racing 92

KenyaLionesses playmaker Grace Adhiambo has joined French Club Racing 92.

A statement from the French club read, “The Sky & White family is growing. Welcome Grace Adhiambo Okulu, Marie Aurélie Castel, Marie Bouchardeau, Khalya Sissoko-Ahamada, and Igoudou Bamba.”

Adhiambo expressed delight with the deal and said it was an honour to play in one of the top leagues in the World. “I’m looking forward to playing with some of the top players from not only France but also the rest of the world and sharpening my skills and improving my rugby knowledge,” added Okulu.

Adhiambo has been a pillar of the Lionesses side since 2016 and has also represented the country both 15 and Sevens, playing pivotal roles in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the Rugby Africa Cup Sevens, Africa women’s Rugby 15s, the Elgon Cup and the WXV3 tournament in Dubai in 2023.

Adhiambo also had a stint with Japanese outfit Nagato Blue Angels on a six-month contract in 2023. Adhiambo, who started her career with Nakuru RFC, hopes more players in the Lionesses can get professional contracts to spur Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup in 2029.

“ I believe our chances will greatly improve if we can get six to eight players playing in Europe, South Africa or elsewhere. The exposure of playing abroad is massive, and it will greatly improve our rugby.”

Okulu hopes to be available for the Africa Cup Sevens tournament in November at the RFUEA ground and expressed confidence that the country can emerge victorious after losing to South Africa in the final last year in Ghana.

“ We have had memorable battles with them, and we are quite unfortunate to lose against them last year. We have grown as a team and playing in the Challenger has hardened us, and we are looking forward to doing well on home soil,” she said. Lionesses coach Dennis Mwanja lauded Adhiambo ‘s move to France, observing it will be an eye-opener.