Zambia Women 7s: ‘We Have Something Exciting Up Our Sleeve This Year’

CAPE TOWN, South Africa –Zambia may have finished sixth out of 12 teams at the 2024 Africa Women’s Sevens in Ghana, but coach Willis Magasa believes the best is yet to come.

“That wasn’t the result we were after,” ex-Zimbabwe international Magasa tells Rugby Africa Media. “We certainly do hope to do better this year.”

The 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens will take place on 15 and 16 November in Kenya at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, and Magasa is confident his team can rise up the ranks. The tournament will feature 12 teams, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Tunisia and Egypt.

Magasa’s sentiments that Zambia can go a step further aren’t far-fetched. Women’s rugby on the continent – especially in the shorter format of the sport – reduces the gap between nations.

Last year in Accra, Zambia finished behind champions South Africa, runners-up Kenya, third-placed Uganda, as well as Madagascar and Tunisia – all big names in African women’s rugby. But Magasa sees opportunity.

But if the Zambians can be able to tick all the boxes both on and off the field, Magasa doesn’t doubt his team’s ability to be among the elite on the continent.

“One of the many challenges we normally have is insufficient preparation time,” he says. “We will be looking to improve on our defence. Our attack was fine, but our defence let us down at times. Defence win you trophies, attack win you games.”

The Zambia Rugby Union has shown faith in the women’s team, even amid financial pressures. In October, the union withdrew its men’s team from the Safari Sevens tournament in Kenya to channel limited resources toward the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens-bound squad.

“Zambia has got natural athletes all round, and I guess all they need is the right environment, sufficient funding, and preparation time,” remarks Magasa. “We did well last year because the girls are passionate and determined to achieve greatness, and I believe they will leave an indelible mark this year.”

Magasa’s own Sevens pedigree runs deep, having represented Zimbabwe at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai. His love for playing in front of passionate Kenyan crowds adds motivation for the Zambian team heading into Nairobi.

“We have something exciting up our sleeve this year,” Magasa says. “It’s really been a while since we’ve been in Kenya, and we’re looking forward to a wonderful and exciting tournament. Personally, I haven’t been there since my playing days, so I look forward to return to Nairobi.”

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