Odera, who is also the Kenya Rugby Union’s Director of Rugby and Pathways Manager, says the team faces immense expectations, with victory in the continental tournament crucial to their promotion hopes.
The 2026 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Tournament was officially launched yesterday at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi ahead of the two-day competition scheduled for 7–8 November.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Odera acknowledged the pressure on the Lionesses, insisting that they must win the title or at least reach the final, should defending champions South Africa also make it to the title decider. South Africa are already competing in HSBC SVNS 2.
“It’s a tricky one for the Lionesses this year because so many things are pegged on them winning. They have to win this tournament. South Africa are here, but they are already in SVNS 2, so it’s either they win or get into the final if South Africa gets into the final, which is an assumption,” said Odera.
Despite the pressure, Odera expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to rise to the occasion. He urged the players to raise their intensity, give their best throughout the competition and bring the African crown home.
The Lionesses will draw confidence from their recent Safari Sevens triumph as they seek to build on that success and secure a return to the international HSBC SVNS pathway.
Defending champions South Africa and Burkina Faso have safely arrived in Kenya ahead of the 11-team championship, which will bring together some of the continent’s leading women’s sevens sides.
Head coach Simon on Wednesday named a 12-player squad for the championship, with Sheila Chajira and Stella Wafula appointed co-captains.
The squad also welcomes the return of Judith Auma to the sevens scene following an injury lay-off. Eighteen-year-old Catherine Elizabeth is the sole debutant. A former high-school sprinter and football goalkeeper at Kinale Girls High School, she has progressed through the Rising Lionesses and Junior Lionesses pathways, having featured at the 2024 Safari Sevens.
Kenya have been drawn in Pool B alongside Tunisia, Ghana and Egypt. Pool A features defending champions South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while Pool C comprises Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Burkina Faso.
With home support behind them, the Lionesses will be determined to turn the expectations into results, deliver a strong performance and reclaim the African crown as they pursue their HSBC SVNS 3 ambitions.
