A year ago South Africa shut the Kenya Lionesses out 22-0 in the African final. This weekend the Lionesses get their chance at revenge on home soil, and Kenya Rugby Union's Director of Rugby Paul Odera is blunt about the stakes: "They have to win this tournament."

The 2026 Rugby Africa Women's Sevens Championship runs on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8, at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi. Eleven nations are listed by Kenyan outlets, and the tournament doubles as Africa's qualifier for World Rugby's HSBC SVNS 3, the third tier of the international sevens circuit.

Why the pressure is on

South Africa, the defending champions, already play in the higher SVNS 2, so the African ticket goes to the best-placed of the rest. Citizen Digital reports that Kenya realistically need to win the title, or reach the final if South Africa also get there, to keep their promotion hopes alive.

"It's a tricky one for the Lionesses this year because so many things are pegged on them winning," Odera, who is also a World Rugby educator, told Citizen Digital. He backed the squad to handle the pressure and urged them to raise their intensity.

The Lionesses arrive in form. They retained the Safari Sevens title on October 11 with a 22-5 win over Uganda's Lady Cranes at Nyayo National Stadium, and the country is still celebrating the Rising Lionesses' historic Youth Olympic gold in Dakar.

The squad

Head coach Simon Odongo has kept most of his Safari Sevens core, with Nelly Chikombe and 18-year-old debutant Catherine Elizabeth coming in for Charity Nillah and Tracy Montex. Judith Auma returns from injury. The 12 are:

  • Sheila Chajira (co-captain) and Stella Wafula (co-captain)
  • Nelly Chikombe, Yvette Okech, Moreen Muritu, Faith Livoi
  • Sinaida Mokaya, Janet Okello, Judith Auma
  • Marvel Oswago, Freshia Oduor, Catherine Elizabeth

Elizabeth, a former sprinter and football goalkeeper at Kinale Girls High School, has come through the Junior and Rising Lionesses pathways.

The draw and the fans

Kenya are in Pool B and open against Ghana before facing Tunisia, according to Citizen Digital. South Africa head Pool A with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while Uganda lead Pool C alongside Madagascar, Mauritius and Burkina Faso.

"I urge all the fans to come and support us. Come and be the extra player and push us to win gold," Odongo said. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya echoed him, asking Kenyans to turn out in large numbers at the RFUEA Grounds, and said hosting the event supports Kenya's push to become a destination for major sporting events. Tickets are on sale through Tikohub.

Photos: Oliver Ananda/Sportpicha via Citizen Digital; K24 Digital. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.