Kenya Lionesses set for 2022 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup

The women’s national rugby 15s side, Kenya Lionesses are scheduled to take part in the 2022 edition of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup that will be taking place in Uganda from 25 October to 2 November 2022.

In the tournament, Lionesses are set to come up against hosts Uganda and Zambia with the team seeking to finish top of the group in order to advance to Pool A that has South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Ahead of the games, Lionesses forward Bernadette Olesia is confident of a good showing as they first clash with Zambia on Saturday 29 October before facing rivals Uganda on Wednesday 2 November.

Speaking to KRU Media, Olesia said, “Training has been quite intense but we are taking each day at a time. My expectation is for us to top the pool though we know the Uganda Lady Cranes are also out to win, so we have to fight hard so that we can top the pool.”

In Pool C, Tunisia have been grouped alongside Senegal and Madagascar in their tournament that runs from 14-22 October.

Tunisia will open proceedings against Senegal before the Senegalese face Madagascar. The last clash will then see Tunisia close off the group against Tunisia.

In Pool D, Cameroon have been paired against Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire.

The tournament, which is in its second edition takes place after a three-year hiatus. The first Africa Cup in 2019 was a purely invitational tournament featuring Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda and hosts and eventual champions South Africa.

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Since 2019 – and despite Covid– Rugby Afrique have been putting a massive effort into expanding the women’s XVs game across the continent.

Last year 11 African nations took part in regional trial events in Ougadougau, Nairobi, Kampala, Tunis and Windhoek. This year a series of four more formal tournaments will take place, each providing a winner who will compete for the Africa Cup and place in WXV.