2022 Africa 7s: Tame Lionesses bundled out by Tunisia

The national women's sevens side, Kenya Lionesses were bundled out of the 2022 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens in Jemmal, Tunisia following a 19-5 loss to hosts Tunisia hence missing out on the Rugby Women's World Cup.

The winner of the tournament was assured a place in the Women's Rugby Sevens World Cup slated for South Africa later on in the year and and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Tunisia camped into the Kenya half from the onset and were rewarded for their early pressure when Ben Salem’s quick tap and go caught the Lionesses defence napping to register the first try of the game as she went ahead to convert her own try.

The Lionesses who were disappointing on the opening day after losing to neighbours Uganda made a number of sickening errors from inside Tunisia’s 22-metre line that cost them points for large spells of the opening half.

Janet 'Shebesh' Okello who plies her trade in Japan with MIE Pearls Women’s RFC finally crossed the whitewash for Kenya in the dying minutes of the first half as she showed the Tunisia defense line a clean pair of heels to squeeze the ball in the corner.

Grace Adhiambo Okulu however missed the conversion as hosts Tunisia went into the halftime break with a slender 7-5 lead.

Kenya were again slow in the restart as Tunisia made their advantage count when Halima Charrada scored a try after Lionesses gave away a number of needless penalties with Salem converting the try from a tricky angle.

Africa Women's 7s: Kenya Lionesses to face Tunisia in quarters despite falling to Uganda

The Lionesses who were an eyesore to watch greased countless tackles as they allowed Lahwal to bag a try as the Kenya defense looked porous with the North Africans bulldozing themselves past the Dennis Mwanja-coached side.

Tunisia held on for the win with Kenya struggling to cross into the Tunisia half in the second half to compound their misery in the tournament.