Kenya Lionesses seek glory as Nairobi hosts Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens 2025

The stage is set for a thrilling weekend of rugby as Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds prepares to host the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens 2025 on November 15–16, marking another milestone in Kenya’s rise as Africa’s premier destination for international sport.

The much-anticipated tournament — whose pools were officially confirmed this week — will feature twelve nations, including hosts Kenya, defending champions South Africa, Uganda, Madagascar, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Mauritius.

Pool A will comprise South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius, while Kenya headline Pool B alongside Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Pool C brings together Uganda, Zambia, and Burkina Faso.

The groupings promise fierce competition, with every team eyeing not only continental glory but also a ticket to the next stage of continental qualification.

For the first time since the Lionesses’ breakout international run, the nation will host the continent’s best at the spiritual home of Kenyan rugby, where the echoes of past triumphs now meet a new generation of ambition.

The Kenya Lionesses, fresh from lifting the Safari Sevens title, enter the tournament in confident form. They now look to convert that momentum into continental dominance — spurred by the energy of home support on Ngong Road. 

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the Lioness' coach Simon Odongo expressed his excitement at the upcoming tournament, stressing the importance of having young and experienced players while also declaring the Lionesses' dream to conquer bigger stages. 

"I've told the girls that this year we are not going to cry again. This year we are going to be the ones celebrating. Our main focus as coaches is to blend the youth with experience. We need both - youthful players and the experienced ones too. Our longterm plan is for the Lionesses to qualify for both the Olympics and the World Cup," he said.

He added, "Our job is to expose our girls internationally. We normally say as the Lionesses to take each game as it comes. Our final game, we've decided, is Cote d'Ivore. That's the first game we are playing and usually, we believe that the first game we play is our final one. After we take care of Cote d'Ivore, then we plan for the next. That's what we believe in."

Odongo also praised the indomitable spirit in the Lionesses, saying that they're driven by their own individual desires to excel, despite a mountain of challenges in the field. 

"Most of the foreign players who've come to Kenya have told us that they have better facilities and better equipments back in their countries. They always wonder what pushes our girls but I always say, it's the mental resilience from coming from humble backgrounds and knowing that if they don't take care of their future nobody will," he said.

"I invite all Kenyans to come support the girls, push them, encourage them and watch them okay. Let's motivate them the same way we pushed the Starlets to qualify for the Africa Cup, the same way we pushed the Junior Starlets to the World Cup..." 

Beyond the field of play, organizers are promising a festival atmosphere celebrating African sport and culture. The RFUEA Grounds will feature fan zones, school rugby clinics, women-in-sport forums, live music, and cultural showcases, turning the venue into a hub of empowerment and community.

The event also strengthens Kenya’s growing legacy as a world-class host of international competitions, following the successful staging of tournaments such as CHAN, the Safari Sevens, and several World Rugby-sanctioned events.

As the tournament approaches, anticipation continues to build. Kenya will open its Pool B campaign against Côte d’Ivoire before facing Ghana, matches that are expected to shape their route to the semifinals.