NAIROBI, Kenya, November 4, 2026 – National women’s rugby 7s team head coach Simon Odongo is adamant their ultimate objective is to win this weekend’s Africa Championships at the RFUEA Grounds.
The gaffer said their eyes are firmly set on the gold medal as they come up against 11 other teams who are also vying for glory at the two-day tournament.
“We want to start well this time unlike last year. Our objective is to win gold this weekend. It is not about beating South Africa alone because women’s rugby is growing. Our immediate task is to beat Ghana before we think of South Africa,” Odongo said.
The gaffer further said the squad he has readied for this year’s edition is fully equipped and motivated to bring glory on home soil — describing it as a mix of experience and youth.
Among the names to look out for is youngster Catherine Elizabeth, who has just finished high school and returns to the national set-up for the first time since 2024.
Odongo said her selection — as is the case for many in the team — is based off an outstanding display at this year’s National Sevens Circuit (NSC).
“It (Sevens Circuit) played a huge role in this year’s squad. Playing five legs was a huge boost. Catherine has grown a lot from the time she first made the squad in 2024 (at the Safari 7s). The pressure is truly on but then again as they say, pressure creates diamonds,” he said.
This is the second straight year that Kenya will be hosting the continental championships, following last year’s edition in which they lost 22-0 to the Lady Boks of South Africa.
The Lionesses face Ghana and Tunisia in Pool B, hoping to kick things off on a flier with victory against the West Africans on Saturday morning.
Kenya will also be using the competition as a pathway for qualification for the World Rugby 7s Series Division 3.
