Nairobi will be more than just a host city in two weeks’ time, it could define the fate of Kenya’s sevens national teams.
The Lionesses and Shujaa begin their quest for qualification to HSBC SVNS 2027 when they host the opening round of HSBC SVNS 2 at Nyayo National Stadium on 14 and 15 February 2026. For both teams, the road back to the top tier starts at home.
Shujaa know that journey all too well. Regulars on the world series from 1999 to 2023, they suffered relegation for the first time in their history before bouncing back for the 2024/25 season. However, World Rugby’s restructuring of the competition saw them drop out again, forcing them into yet another rebuild.
For the Lionesses, the frustration has been just as sharp. After consistently knocking on the door, they finally topped the 2025 Challenger Series — only to be denied promotion due to the same restructuring. It was a bitter blow for a side that had earned its place on merit.
Now both teams have a fresh opportunity, and they have been preparing accordingly.
Shujaa recently returned from a high-performance training camp in South Africa, sharpening their physical edge and tactical cohesion. The Lionesses have been in Spain on a similar camp, fine-tuning their combinations and building depth ahead of the campaign.
But preparation alone will not be enough. Nairobi will be massive.
Playing at Nyayo brings expectation, pressure and, above all, belief. Kenya’s sevens teams have historically drawn energy from their home crowd, and a strong start could set the tone for the rest of the series.
After Nairobi, the circuit moves to Montevideo on 21 and 22 March, before concluding in São Paulo on 28 and 29 March. Momentum will be everything. A fast start at home could be the difference between chasing the pack and controlling their own destiny.
For Shujaa and the Lionesses, promotion is not just about status. It is about restoring Kenya’s place among the elite and proving that their recent setbacks were structural, not competitive.
The journey begins in Nairobi.
Full schedule: https://www.svns.com/en/fixtures-and-results/svns2/nairobi
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