Kenya Lionesses face an uncertain period following their disappointing third-place finish at the 2026 Africa Women’s 7s, with their hopes of securing HSBC SVNS 3 qualification and player contracts coming to an abrupt end.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Lionesses saw their ambitions of reaching the tournament final shattered after suffering a 19-14 semifinal defeat to Uganda on Sunday, 8 November at RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.Ibrahim Ayoo reveals next target after achieving centurion with Menengai OilersThe defeat ended Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the HSBC SVNS 3 competition, dealing a major blow to the team’s ambitions of returning to the international sevens pathway.The disappointment extended beyond qualification, as the Lionesses also missed out on player contracts sponsored by Safaricom through its M-PESA partnership with Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).##NAJAVA_MECA_10101975##A source close to Mozzart Sport revealed that the signing of the contracts was awaiting the outcome of Kenya’s semifinal encounter against Uganda, with the team’s progression expected to determine the next course of action.However, the 19-14 defeat meant the anticipated contracts did not materialise, leaving the players without the opportunity that had been within reach.Africa Women’s 7s: Uganda end three-year wait for title with dominant Africa Women’s 7s triumphWith the Africa Women’s 7s now concluded, the Lionesses will have to regroup and turn their attention to their next competitive assignments.Their next opportunity to pursue the HSBC SVNS 3 pathway will come when World Rugby announces the next qualification tournament, which is expected to take place in 2027.##NAJAVA_MECA_10101974##For now, the team’s next confirmed sevens assignment is the 2027 Safari 7s, where they will have an opportunity to rebuild confidence and restore their continental ambitions.Meanwhile, Uganda emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the tournament, ending a three-year wait for a major sevens title after defeating Tunisia 33-0 in Sunday’s final.Dennis Ombachi offers solution to Kenya Sevens player contracts standoffThe Lady Cranes produced a flawless campaign, winning all six of their matches to claim their first continental title in three years.Uganda began their campaign with convincing pool-stage victories over Burkina Faso (45-0), Madagascar (46-0) and Mauritius (49-0) before eliminating defending champions South Africa 24-17 in the quarter-finals.##NAJAVA_MECA_10101977##They then carried their impressive form into the semifinals, edging hosts Kenya 19-14 to book their place in the final before completing their dominant run with a comprehensive victory over Tunisia.The triumph was particularly significant for Uganda, whose last major sevens title came in 2023 when they defeated Kenya Lionesses to lift the Safari 7s trophy.
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