We shall take care of anybody, coach Odongo warns as Lionesses cruise to Rugby Africa quarters
Kenya Lionesses Catherine Elizabeth leave Tunisia Fatma Bjedul chasing shadow on November 7, 2026, during the 2026 Africa Women's Sevens Tournament at RFUEA Ground.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
By Ayumba Ayodi
Correspondent
NMG Sport
Upsets might have added drama to the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens at the RFUEA Ground on Saturday, November 7, 2026, but Kenya Lionesses stayed on course to reclaim the title after cruising to the quarter-final.
The Lionesses steamrolled past Ghana and Tunisia 27-7 and 19-0 to top Pool “A” but head coach Simon Odongo and skipper Stella Wafula remained cautious after some stunning results on day one.
Zambia beat defending champions South Africa in a huge upset 19-14 to top Pool “A”.
The result ended South Africa’s 50-match unbeaten run in the tournament stretching 14 editions.
National Women's rugby team Lionesses coach Simon Odongo (right) flanked by Kenya Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo on November 4, 2026, at Talanta Plaza.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Blazeboks had effortlessly put aside Rwanda 57-0 and Zimbabwe 26-10 before meeting the dangerous Zambians.
Zambia completed their pool assignments unbeaten, having humbled Rwanda 50-0 and Zimbabwe 36-5. earlier
Kenya takes on Mauritius in the first Cup quarter-final at 9am today with the winner bracketed to face either South Africa or Uganda in the semi-finals.
Uganda face South Africa at 9.22am in an attractive looking tie.
At stake is the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens title that Blazeboks have won a record 13 times.
The winner will also earn a place at the World Rugby Division III that will be staged in Dubai on November 27-29.
“At this rate, you can’t afford to blink. African teams have improved and it’s no longer the period when the sevens talk was only about Kenya and South Africa,” said Odongo.
“You saw Ghana and Tunisia stretch us but credit to the girls for delivering victories,” said Odongo.
The Kenya coach said that their focus is to reach the final and lift the title. “We shall take care of anybody that comes before us.”
“We trained to win and we shall not underrate any opponent. Uganda are strong, Zambia have done what was deemed impossible,” said Wafula.
National women's rugby team, Lionesses, players after a training session on October 30, 2026, for the 2026 Africa Women’s Sevens Cup qualifiers for HSBC 7s Three.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Judith Okumu, Freshia Oduor and Catherine Elizabeth touched dowa a try each as the Lionesses dismantled Tunisia while Janet Okello landed a double of tries against Ghana as Oduor, Elizabeth and Sinaida Mokaya scored the other tries.
Zambia coach Sydney Mwansapa said that their victory against South Africa showed how far they have come in developing women’s rugby.
“These are the end results of the hard work put in a lot over the years and especially coming to this tournament. We are motivated to go all the way in this tournament,” said Mwansapa.
South Africa coach Cecil Afrika said his players were lethargic in converting their opportunities and made tactical errors at the most crucial moments and Zambia were swift to take advantage.
“The beauty of sevens rugby is that today it’s done and tomorrow presents another opportunity, “ said Afrika.
“Whatever happened today won’t happen tomorrow,” he said.
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