The Kenya Lionesses have stepped up preparations for the 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship, with the hosts targeting the continental title and qualification for the World Rugby HSBC SVNS 3 competition.
The two-day tournament will take place on November 7–8 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, bringing together 11 national teams competing for continental honours and an opportunity to secure a place in the international sevens circuit.
Kenya head into the competition seeking to reclaim the title after finishing runners-up to South Africa in the 2025 edition, which was also staged at the same venue.
The Lionesses lost 22-0 to South Africa in last year’s final, ending an impressive campaign that had seen them defeat Zimbabwe 33-12 in the quarter-finals before overcoming Uganda 17-10 in the semi-finals.
However, the Kenyan side will draw confidence from their recent performance at the 2026 Safari Sevens, where they successfully defended their title after finishing unbeaten in the women’s competition.
The team recorded a commanding 43-0 victory over Tuks Women before edging Tunisia 19-17 and defeating Uganda’s Lady Cranes 22-5 in their decisive encounter to retain the trophy.
Head coach Simon Odongo believes the team has made significant progress, particularly in developing players’ versatility and their ability to adapt to different positions.
Odongo said the technical bench used the Safari Sevens to experiment with different formations and positional combinations, giving players opportunities to demonstrate their ability to perform in unfamiliar roles.
He also expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, noting that they were further ahead than they had been at a similar stage last season.
Kenya have been drawn in Pool B alongside Tunisia and Ghana, with the hosts scheduled to open their campaign against Ghana on Saturday, November 7, before facing Tunisia later in the afternoon.
Defending champions South Africa headline Pool A alongside Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while Pool C comprises Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Burkina Faso.
The competition carries added significance for Kenya, who are seeking to return to the international sevens circuit after a difficult season.
The Lionesses were relegated from World Rugby’s Division II competition after finishing fifth during the 2026 series, which featured tournaments in Nairobi, Montevideo and Sao Paulo.
Only one qualification place for the HSBC SVNS 3 is available through the Nairobi championship, reserved for the highest-placed team outside South Africa, who already compete in a higher division.
With home support expected at the RFUEA Grounds, Kenya will be looking to turn their recent progress into a successful continental campaign and end their wait for another Africa Women’s Sevens crown.
