Kenya Lionesses target HSBC SVNS II return

Under head coach Simon Odongo, the team was relegated to HSBC SVNS 3 following a challenging 2026 SVNS 2 campaign. They will now look to use the continental tournament as a springboard back to the second tier of the global sevens circuit.

Odongo is confident of his side’s chances, particularly with South Africa already competing in a higher division and therefore not part of the promotion race.

“We know what is at stake in the Africa Cup. South Africa may be coming here to show what they can do, but our focus will be on Egypt, Ghana and Tunisia. Those are our three finals. As we always do in tournaments, we will take one game at a time and see where the ball bounces,” said Odongo.

Captain Stella Wafula echoed her coach’s sentiments, insisting that the team will approach every match as a final to maintain focus in a competition where every side will be fighting for continental glory.

“This year, we have had intensive training and competed in challenging tournaments such as the Safari Sevens, where we faced tough opposition, including Uganda. I believe we are one step ahead,” said Wafula.

Kenya’s most direct route back to HSBC SVNS 2 is to reach the final of the Africa Women’s Sevens Championship, keeping their promotion hopes alive ahead of the 2027 season.

The Lionesses have been drawn in Pool B alongside Tunisia, Ghana and Egypt in the 12-team competition.

The hosts will need a strong performance in the pool stages to progress to the knockout rounds and keep their qualification ambitions on track.

The tournament features three pools of four teams. Pool A comprises defending champions South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while Pool C includes Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Burkina Faso.

South Africa arrive in Nairobi as defending champions after defeating the Lionesses 22–0 in the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens final. That victory secured their place in HSBC SVNS 2 and highlighted the challenge Kenya face as they seek to reclaim continental supremacy.

If the Lionesses fail to reach the final, they could have another opportunity to secure promotion at the Dubai Sevens in December, subject to the applicable tournament regulations and available