Kenya 7s and Kenya Lionesses will feature in the 2023 Dubai 7s Invitation tournament which is set for 1-3 December in Dubai.
Kenya Rugby Union has confirmed that both Shujaa and Lionesses be will part of the invitational category which will run concurrently with the World Rugby Sevens Series at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
Kenya 7s good run
Shujaa fresh from winning Africa Men’s 7s and Safari 7s have been pooled in Group C alongside Speranza 22, R10C Selects, and Wailers.
Kenya 7s Patrick Odongo receives award. Photo/SJAK
Their pool campaign will commence at 2:40 pm EAT on Friday, December 1, against R1OC Selects, they continue with a match against Wailers at 2:20 pm on Saturday, December 2, and finish their pool stage with a clash against Speranza 22 at 5:00 pm on the same day.
Shujaa head to the tournament at a time when they are enjoying a 12-match unbeaten run under coach Kevin Wambua and will use the event to prepare for the World 7s Challenger 2024.
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In the Women’s International Invitation Category, the Lionesses find themselves in Pool B, alongside Ireland Invitational, USA Falcons, Rhino Stompers, and French Militaire Sevens.
Their campaign kicks off on Friday, December 1, at 5:40 pm against Ireland Invitational. Subsequently, they face the Rhino Stompers at 7:20 pm on the same day, followed by a match against French Militaire Sevens at 3:20 pm on Saturday. Their pool fixtures conclude with a game against the USA Falcons at 7:00 pm on the same day.
On Wednesday, details of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 were announced with three rounds taking place over three continents between January and May, providing a clear promotion pathway to reach the pinnacle HSBC SVNS in 2025.
The top four placed men’s and women’s World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 teams, based on cumulative series points at the conclusion of the third round, will secure their opportunity to compete in the new high-stakes promotion and relegation play-off competition at the SVNS Grand Final in Madrid on 31 May – 2 June, 2024 against the teams ranked ninth to 12th from HSBC SVNS 2024.
Kenya 7s (Shujaa) players hurdle in a past match. Photo/Screen grab
Four successful nations from this Grand Final play-off will secure their place in HSBC SVNS 2025, while the other four teams will compete in their regional qualification tournaments to earn the right to compete in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025.
Here’s a summarized list of the Lionesses and Shujaa Dubai 7s fixtures:
Friday, December 1, 2023:
- Shujaa vs R1OC Selects | 2:40 pm
- Lionesses vs Ireland Invitational | 5:40 pm
- Lionesses vs Rhino Stompers | 7:20 pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023:
- Shujaa vs Wailers | 2:20 pm
- Lionesses vs French Militaire Sevens | 3:20 pm
- Shujaa vs Speranza 22 | 5:00 pm
- Lionesses vs USA Falcons | 7:00 pm
