NAIROBI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Kenya rugby teams hope their mixed results will inspire better performance on the return fixtures of the 2019 Elgon Cup even as the women side eyes qualification to the World Cup.
Kenya's Lionesses easily dispatched Uganda's She Cranes 42-13 in the first leg in Kisumu but the men's team Simbas lost narrowly 16-13 to Uganda.
Kenya Lionesses head coach Felix Oloo warned his players to expect tough competition on return leg in Uganda.
"The girls put in an excellent performance. However, the race is not over. We must finish the job in Uganda and pick the positives," said Oloo.
Despite the recent positive results, the Kenyan women will have to travel to South Africa and beat the rugby superpower on home soil as well as Uganda and Madagascar to book their places at the Women's World Cup in New Zealand in 2021.
In the men's Elgon Cup tie, which Africa Rugby is using as part of the Victoria Cup tournament, also has teams from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
"It is not easy for us to lose at home. But despite the loss, the performance of the team was fantastic. We had nine debutants and some teenagers who fought gallantly," said Paul Odera, the men's team head coach.
Odera refused to throw in the towel and says Kenya will take their battle to Kampala oozing confidence and hope to turn the screws on their hosts.
However, the coach has called on senior players to show some grit and steel to help the youngsters break into the team and international rugby.
"We need experience ahead of the return leg in Kampala, Uganda next month. We will overturn the scores and head to Zimbabwe and Zambia sharper and focused," said the coach.
Simbas captain Peter Kilonzo rued the loss and wants more from his teammates as they head to Kampala on July 13.
"We must tighten our game and play more compact before we head to Kampala where we expect to win," said Kilonzo.
Uganda's coach Robert Seguya warned his charges that it's not the end promising that his team will worker 10 times harder in Kampala.
"The game is still open. Kenya is wounded but I hope lifting the trophy at home will be an extra motivation for my team. The mountain is getting higher and higher which is good for rugby," said Seguya.
