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Former Lionesses skipper Okulu returns for Africa Sevens
Grace Okulu during her first match for Nagato Blue Angels in a Sevens competition held on February 11-12 in Kitakyushu, Japan.
Former Kenya Lionesses skipper Grace Okulu returned to the country on Tuesday morning for the Africa Women’s Sevens scheduled for this weekend at the RFUEA grounds.
Okulu, who is one of the new signings at Racing 92, the French’s Top 14 professional league side, should feature prominently in head coach Simon Odongo’s final squad for the continental extravaganza.
However, Stella Wafula and Diana Awino, who are currently at Rhinos Rugby High Performance Academy in Southern and Northern California, United States of America will miss out on selection.
Also, not for consideration when Odongo names his squad this morning is Judith Auma and Vyette Oketch, who are currently on “Return to play” process, having undergone surgeries.
Okulu, a versatile utility back, joined the French side in August, this year after leading Kenya Lionesses’ impressive and successful 2025 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series campaign.
Okulu previously featured for Japanese outfit Nagato Blue Angels in 2023 and later Pearls Women’s Rugby Football Club.
The 14th edition of the Africa Women’s Sevens Cup will double up as the Africa qualifier for the 2026 World Rugby Division II where Kenya has already qualified. Two more teams will come from the continental event for the World Rugby Division II starting February 2026.
Odongo said his focus is more on the World Rugby Division II rather than the continental event, hence their deliberate plan to strengthen their depth by bringing on board more talented players.
“We want to have capacity and depth that will pull us through the world event and qualify for Division I,” said Odongo, adding that the presence of Okulu and Japan-based Janet Okello, is a big confidence booster.
Odongo noted that the new players in the team have also brought in some good energy with everyone striving to meet their set targets.
Odongo and his team captain, Sheila Chagira, said that they hope to write a different script this time around, having only won one edition.
The Lionesses have been to nine finals of Africa Women’s Sevens. They met South Africa Lady Blitzboks in seven of the finals, losing all them, including the 17-10 defeat last year in Accra, Ghana.
They lost to Tunisia 14-10, which was their first ever final appearance in 2012 in Rabat, Morocco but beat Uganda in 2018 in Gaborone, Botswana.
“Lady Blitzboks are our main challenger but we could fail to meet them and that is why we want to take one game at a time,” said Chagira.
Chagira noted that they might have failed to beat South Africa in Africa Sevens but they will draw inspiration from their three wins against the South Africans in the 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series and promotion play-off.
“We used to respect Lady Blitzboks but we are now equals. Our training has changed with better management of play and delivery,” said Chagira, who called on Kenyans to come to the RFUEA in numbers and rally behind the team.
Kenya Lionesses are in Pool ‘B” alongside Ghana and Cote D`Ivoire, while the 12-time champions South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius face off in Pool “A”
Four-time finalists Uganda, who are still chasing their maiden title highlights Pool “C” that has Zambia and Burkina Faso while Madagascar, Tunisia and Egypt will battle in Pool “D.”
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