Kenya Lionesses head coach Dennis Mwanja said build-up matches will be key for his charges if they are to challenge Africa champions South Africa in the future.
Mwanja's charges were put to the sword in a 48-0 demolition by the women's Boks outfit in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Wednesday in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup competition.
“We gave away very easy tries in that first half. The experience of South Africa, going for the World Cup and the European Tour, clearly put them a world apart from us. We believe the build-up matches would have made a big difference for us.”
“We have really learned a lot from this game. There is really no shortcut to experience,” he concluded.
The Lionesses began their campaign with a 29-20 win over hosts Madagascar on Saturday and must now defeat Cameroon in Sunday’s final round of matches to finish second and qualify for the WXV third-tier competition.
The South Africans outscored Kenya eight tries to nil with Nomawethu Mabenge scoring four. Zintle Mpupha grabbed a brace with Siizophila Solontsi, and Chumisa Qawe scoring a try each as Libbie Janse van Rensburg added four conversions. South Africa led 34-0 at halftime.
Elsewhere, The Simbas Currie Cup match against South African side Valke on Saturday is in doubt.
The match which was to be played at the RFUEA ground on Saturday has now been shifted to South Africa at the eleventh hour much to the disappointment of the team management.
Speaking on Thursday, team manager Jimmie Mnene said the Simbas are still in the country and are uncertain about the match.
“We knew all along this game should have been played at home but from the information, I gather the Ministry of Sports was to facilitate the arrivals and stay of Valke ahead of the match and that has not happened,” observed Mnene.
On their Instagram page, Valke posted that the game will be played at Bernard Stadium in Kempton Park, Johannesburg on Saturday with the match kickoff at 3pm.
