Rugby 7s: Can Lady Cranes qualify for 2024 Olympics? 

The Lady Rugby Cranes 7s side has had its preparations for the Africa Women’s Sevens championships in Tunisia this weekend from October 14 to 15 almost overshadowed by a side show.

This side show was about the fact that it is going to be their first international outing since April 2022. However, that aside, Peace Lekuru is leading Nile Special-sponsored Lady Cranes to Tunisia clearly focused on trying to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. Coach Charles Onen said: “Our training has been good, and I am confident, this team will do well.”

But, it is 17 months since this 7s team had an international engagement. In the view of some observers, that is likely to prove to be their major undoing. In April 2022, this team competed at the Africa 7s, where they finished fourth behind South Africa, Madagascar and Tunisia in that order.

That is experience, which should come in handy this time since much of the squad has been maintained. This time, they are in Pool A alongside South Africa, Tunisia and Zimbabwe with the stakes pretty high. Only the winner of the eight-team tournament will qualify for the Olympics.

Number two and three will head out for the repechage, a pre-olympics qualifier. And considering the form these ladies have been in, add their experience from last year, Onen sees no reason why they cannot make the final.