Lady Rugby Cranes gear up for challenging Rugby Africa 7s in Accra

The 2024 women’s Rugby Africa 7s, set to take place in Accra between November 9-10, was initially scheduled for two weekends between October 26-27 and November 2-3 in Tunisia. Tunisia pulled out due to financial constraints.

This tournament doubles as a 2025 Challenger Series qualifier, a pathway to the 2025-2026 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Uganda’s Lady Rugby Cranes are placed in Pool C with Zambia, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. While the group might look easy at first glance, Lady Rugby Cranes head coach Charles Onen has cautioned his players.

“This tournament is going to be tough compared to last year’s tournament in Tunisia. Being a qualifier for the challengers and with South Africa in it after relegation makes us not relax,” Onen said.

Lady Rugby Cranes in training

“Last year, we had only eight teams and now we have twelve teams which makes everything hard for any ambitious team,” he added.

South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso are in Group A, while Kenya, Madagascar, Ghana, and Mauritius make up Group B. The Nile Special-sponsored Lady Rugby Cranes are currently undergoing non-residential training with a total of 21 players, but only twelve will make the cut to Accra.

Yvone Najjuma, who missed the last two outings of the Challenger Series and Africa Games in Accra due to suspension, returned to training before the team traveled to South Africa for the inaugural Willem Strauss International 7s, where they emerged as victors in September. Najjuma also made Uganda B in the Safaris mid this month.

Lady Rugby Cranes in training

With heavy competition in every position, Onen is carefully selecting the best twelve players to fly to Accra. “It is true the competition is hard in every position, but we know we shall make the best choice and everyone will be contented with our selection,” Onen echoed.

Accra's weather conditions won't be new for the Lady Rugby Cranes. In March this year, the team traveled to Accra for the Africa Games and came back with gold after winning the five games they played. In last year’s women’s Rugby Africa 7s, Uganda finished third in Tunisia, missing a top spot that would have seen them qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics for the first time in history.