- Kenya Lionesses name final squad for HSBC SVNS 2 leg in Nairobi, taking place from 14–15 February 2026.
- Charity Nilah and Marvel Oswago will make their debut on the global stage.
- Sheila Chajira will lead as captain alongside Freshia Odour, with Simon Odongo serving as head coach.
The women’s national rugby 7s side, the Kenya Lionesses, has named a strong 12-player squad for the upcoming opening leg of the HSBC SVNS 2, scheduled to take place on February 14–15 at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
Most of the seasoned players and familiar faces have been retained, with two athletes set to make their debut in the national team setup.
The Lionesses will be led by head coach Simon Odongo, who aims to guide the team through this three-legged campaign as they target a spot in the Division 1 series next season.
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Sheila Chajira, head coach of Kenya Harlequins Women, will captain the side, assisted by speedster winger Freshia Odour as co-captain.
Key returnees who made an impact during the Safari 7s and the Africa Women’s 7s include Janet Okello, Naomi Amuguni, Grace Okulu, Stella Wafula, Maureen Muritu, Edith Narika, and Phoebe Akinyi.
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Meanwhile, after impressive performances at the Safari 7s, Marvel Laura Oswago and Charity Nilah are set to make their debut on the global stage this weekend.
The Lionesses will face Brazil, China, Argentina, and Spain, and will seek redemption against Africa’s counterparts, South Africa, who denied them the Africa Women’s Cup on home soil last year.
Kenya Lionesses HSBC SVNS 2 fixtures
In a round-robin format, the Lionesses will begin their campaign on Saturday morning against Brazil at 9:44 am, followed by matches against China at 12:46 pm and South Africa at 3:48 pm to end day one.
Action intensifies on Sunday, February 15, with Kenya playing Argentina at 11:44 am before wrapping up their home campaign against Spain at 3:56 pm.
ALSO READ: USA 7s name final squad for opening HSBC SVNS 2 in Nairobi
Nyayo Stadium is expected to be electric, as tickets for both days have already sold out.
After Nairobi, the series moves to Montevideo, Uruguay, before concluding in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The top four teams will then get promoted to the SVNS World Championship where they will meet the top 8 teams from the SVNS Division 1 in the last three outings of the season in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux.
From the 12 sides, teams that finish inside the top 8 will get Division 1 tickets for the 2027 SVNS campaign.
Kenya Lionesses name final squad for HSBC SVNS 2 leg in Nairobi
- Sheila Chajira – Captain
- Freshia Odour – Vice Captian
- Naomi Amuguni
- Edith Nariaka
- Phoebe Akinyi
- Janet Okello
- Maureen Muruti
- Sinaida Nyachio
- Grace Okulu
- Stella Wafula
- Marvel Oswago – Debutant
- Charity Nilah – Debutant
HSBC SVNS 2 Nairobi: Full fixtures, schedule & kick-off times
Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi – 14–15 February 2026
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Women’s Matches
- 09:00– China 7s vs Argentina 7s
- 09:22– Spain 7s vs South Africa 7s
- 09:44– Brazil 7s vs Kenya 7s
- 12:02 – Spain 7s vs Argentina 7s
- 12:24 – Brazil 7s vs South Africa 7s
- 12:46 – China 7s vs Kenya 7s
- 15:04 – Brazil 7s vs Argentina 7s
- 15:26– China 7s vs Spain 7s
- 15:48 – Kenya 7s vs South Africa 7s
Men’s Matches
- 10:06– USA 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 10:28– Uruguay 7s vs Germany 7s
- 10:50 – Kenya 7s vs Canada 7s
- 13:08 – Uruguay 7s vs USA 7s
- 13:30– Germany 7s vs Canada 7s
- 13:52 – Kenya 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 16:10 – USA 7s vs Canada 7s
- 16:32– Uruguay 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 16:54 – Kenya 7s vs Germany 7s
Sunday, 15 February 2026
Women’s Matches
- 11:00 – China 7s vs South Africa 7s
- 11:22– Brazil 7s vs Spain 7s
- 11:44 – Kenya 7s vs Argentina 7s
- 15:12 – South Africa 7s vs Argentina 7s
- 15:34 – Brazil 7s vs China 7s
- 15:56 – Spain 7s vs Kenya 7s
Men’s Matches
- 12:06 – Canada 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 12:28 – USA 7s vs Germany 7s
- 12:50 – Kenya 7s vs Uruguay 7s
- 16:18 – Germany 7s vs Belgium 7s
- 16:40 – Uruguay 7s vs Canada 7s
- 17:02 – Kenya 7s vs USA 7s