It is the calm before a storm as 12 women’s teams prepare for a two-day Rugby Africa Women’s seven-a-side tournament that starts at Accra UNiversity Stadium on Saturday.

For the next two days, the goal would be to finish among the top three and earn a slot for the next World Rugby Challenger Series. The top three teams shall qualify to represent Africa at the competition that features teams from other regions.

Eventually, the top two teams in the Challenger Series shall battle it out with the bottom four teams of the World Rugby Sevens World Series to possibly earn promotion to the top tier World Series the following season. 

By Friday, all the teams had arrived in Accra, Ghana which was the venue for the last All Africa Games where the shorter version of the game was played for the first time.

Switched to Tunisia

The tournament was switched from Tunisia to Ghana because of unforeseen circumstances. The dates that Tunisia had proposed coincided with the presidential elections and Ghana who hosted the All Africa Games – where rugby was played for the first time – stepped in.

In Ghana, the number of teams has been increased to 12 from eight that were expected to be in Tunisia. This, according to John Bosco Muamba, the Rugby Africa development manager, was to ensure women’s rugby was at parity with the men’s competition that also had 12 teams in Mauritius. The RA official predicted a tough tournament ahead with exciting results expected. 

On paper, the teams to beat include South Africa – relegated to the second tier tournament last season -, Kenya, Uganda, and Madagascar who have distinguished themselves in sevens rugby.  Renfred Dazel, a former player for the Blitz Boks who coaches the women’s team downplayed their tag as favorites and top seeds.

In an interview with Rugby Afrique, he said the aim was to finish among the top three teams and qualify for the Challenger Series. “We shall play according to our standards despite the humidity,” Dazel added.

No easy group

Cyprian Mandenge, the Zimbabwe coach, admitted there was no easy group. “If you have to be the best you must play the best. We are raring to go,” he stated. Zimbabwe have had good preparations and could challenge the top teams but must navigate their way from a tough Pool A with South Africa, Tunisia and Burkina Faso.

Zambia arrived first in Accra with coach William Magasa looking forward to doing better than finishing fourth at the last tournament.

An increase of the number of teams from eight to 12 captured the imagination of Dennis Mwanja, the Kenya Lionesses coach who said this was a move in the right direction because other regions had an edge by competitions in more tournaments. “We shall not underestimate any team but are going for the trophy,” he added. 

Measured approach

Other coaches and team officials were measured in their predictions and expectations. Herimahefa Ando Niaina, the Madagascar team manager believed their good preparations would pay off while Dabire Velhyr, the Burkina Faso coach aimed for a top eight finish and gun for top honors. 

The tournament shall be streamed live on both days.

The draw for the Africa Women’s Sevens tournament

Pool A: South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso

Pool B: Kenya, Madagascar, Ghana, Mauritius

Pool C: Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Ivory Coast

Match schedule

Zambia v Senegal, Uganda v Ivory Coast, Madagascar v Ghana, Kenya v Mauritius, Tunisia v Zimbabwe, South Africa v Burkina Faso, Zambia v Ivory Coast, Uganda v Senegal, Madagascar v Mauritius, Kenya v Ghana, Tunisia v Burkina Faso, South Africa v Zimbabwe, Senegal v Ivory Coast, Uganda v Zambia, Kenya v Madagascar, Zimbabwe v Burkina Faso, South Africa v Tunisia, Ghana v Mauritius.Cup quarter finals: B1 v Best 3rd, C1 v A2, B2 v C2, A1 v 2nd best 3rd.

Teams

Ghana: Anita Halm, Haruna Nimatu, Barkisu Mumuni, Jamila Awal, Paulina Mensah, Radha Arthur, Racheal Tawia, Shiela Tettey, Mary Plange, Grace Aduntira, Patience Musah, Kadija Adams, Rafatu Inusah (Team Manager), Marvin Chirume (Coach), Jaffrey Chiwanda (Assistant coach), Sanim Issah (Doctor).

Ivory Coast: Evelyn Koume, Adeline Lamoine, Awa Dayo, Vanille Lokpo, Ferata Sekongo, Nolan Nangbo, Mariam Sylla, Julie Bleu, Aicha Berte, Mariam Zon, Fatoumata Cisse, Nambalo Cisse.

Kenya Lionesses: Sheila Chajira (captain), Christabel Lindo. Faith Livoi, Stella Wafula, Diana Awino, Moreen Muritu, Sinaida Mokaya, Diana Kemunto, Judith Auma, Drake Adhiambo, Sharon Juma, Freshia Oduor.

South Africa: Leigh Fortuin, Kemisetso Baloyi, Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha, Nampumelelo Mathe, Felicia Jacobs, Maria Tshiremba, Shiniqwa Lampretch, Nadine Roos, Mathrin Simmers (captain), Zandile Masuku, Liske Lategan.

Tunisia: Rosla Ati, Oumayma Dziri, Ranim Maddouri, Lamia Mlawah. Zahra Chtioui, Yasmine Korbi, Nour Ayari, Zahra Haddaji, Ahed Ragoubi, Samen Lahouel, Yasmine Jlassi and Habiba Lefi.

Uganda Lady Cranes: Peace Lekuru (captain), Grace Nabaggala, Unity Namulala, Grace Auma, Maimuna Nasozi, Janat Nandudu, Tina Molly Okello, Lona Sandra Amoli, Getrude Junior Kateesa, Faziira Namukwaya, Yvonne Najjuma (Thunderbirds), Lydia Namabiro.

Zimbabwe’s Lady Cheetahs: Wadzanai Chidawa, Rubidzai Chigumbu, Cleopatra Kadimu, Erika Mack, Caroline Malenga, Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo, Delight Mukomondo, Tarren Munodaani, Constance Ngwende, Pauline Sianga, Rufaro Tagarira, Kudzai Wasili; Non-traveling reserves: Marilyn Migire, Langalenkonsi Ncube.

Officials: Cyprian Mandenge (Head Coach), Lucky Sithole (Assistant Coach), Anne Tendai Butau (Physiotherapist), Vivienne Theresa Manuel (Team Manager).