Lionesses fall to South Africa in Africa Women's 7s finals

Kenya 7s national women's rugby team Lionesses ended their Africa Women's 7s campaign with a narrow 12-7 loss to South Africa after a spirited performance in the final that was played in Monastir, Tunisia on Sunday 15 October.

Prior to the final stage, the side which is coached by former Kenya 7s International Dennis Mwanja showcased their fine playing skills in the group stage building up to the semifinals.

The hard-hitting Lionesses were coming from an impressive group stage performance where they defeated Zambia 27-0, and heaped a 41-0 misery on Ghana, before surviving Madagascar 20-17 to proceed to the semifinals.

Okello shines as Lionesses book Africa Women's 7s final spot

They saw off neighbors Uganda Lady Cranes 27-0 to book a final date with the South Africans.

The final was a repeat of the Africa Men's 7s final where Kenya Shujaa staged a remarkable performance to hit favourites South Africa 17-12 and book a direct ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The hard-hitting ladies were looking to copy paste their brother's performance to emerge winners of the two-day tournament.

South Africa were the first to score in the brutally physical affair, to open the scores with an unconverted try.

Lionesses would then respond with a five pointer from speedster Sharon Auma who skipped two S.A defenders to race for Kenya's one and only five pointer. The conversion attempt was successful off Grace Okulu's boots to blow the scores to 7-5 before half time. Kenya leading.

The South Africans came in stronger in the final half, but they would only score a converted try to put them ahead of Kenya before the sound of the final whistle. FT 12-7.

Mwanja's charges will go back to the drawing board and prepare for the repechage tournament penciled for next year, in an attempt to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Lionesses run in 2023 Africa Women's 7s

Group Stage

Kenya 27-0 Zambia

Kenya 41-0 Ghana

Kenya 20-17 Madagascar

Semifinal

Kenya 27-0 Uganda Lady Cranes

Final

South Africa 12-7 Kenya