On the 14th of January 2024, both the Kenya Lionesses and Shujaa secured spots in the final of the 2024 HSBC Dubai Challenger Series. The Lionesses were the first team to secure their place in the final after defeating Argentina with a comfortable 17-0 victory. Their tries were scored by Sinaida Mokaya, Naomi Amuguni, and Judith Okumu. They will now face the formidable China in the final.

In the meantime, Shujaa, the male counterparts of the Lionesses, also earned their ticket to the main cup final by defeating Uruguay with a dominant 21-5 victory. Patrick Odongo played a pivotal role for Shujaa, scoring two tries and helping his team establish a 14-0 lead by halftime. Though Uruguay managed to score a consolation try near the end of the match, it was too late for them to mount a comeback.

Odongo’s contributions throughout the tournament have been extraordinary. The 21-year-old has scored a total of nine tries, including the decisive try against Japan in the quarterfinals. His outstanding performances have been instrumental in helping Shujaa reach the final of the first leg of the Challenger Series.

Both the Lionesses and Shujaa will now have the opportunity to compete for the cup title in their respective matches. The Lionesses will face China in a highly anticipated final, while Shujaa will take on Chile.