28 May 2018

Botswana ladies rugby team produced a courageous performance despite finishing seventh in the Africa Rugby Women’s Sevens Championships held at the National Stadium over the weekend.

The local team, which was playing in the annual competition for the first time in three years, advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Mauritius 15-10 and drawing 5-5 with Zambia in Pool C matches on May 26.

Victory against the Islanders marked the first time the women’s team had won its opening match in this competition.

However, the hosts were no match for a strong Tunisian side in the quarterfinals and were thrashed 36-0 on Sunday morning (May 27).

The team under the guidance of former Botswana international, Emmanuel Masinki dropped to the plate competition and faced Senegal in their next match.

The West African team proved to be a hard nut for the hosts and scored three tries and conversion to establish a 17-0 at recess.

However, the hosts continued to play their hearts out and scored two tries through Thato Tutwane and Katlego Disang in the second half, though they were eventually beaten 22-10.

The loss against Senegal condemned Botswana to a 7/8th place classification encounter against Zambia, which the local team won 17-5 to clinch seventh position.

Kelebogile Bagwasi scored a first half try and Amogelang Rebatenne converted to put the hosts 7-0 ahead. Lebogang Kelepile increased the lead to 12-0 after good work by Habiba Dithupa.

Zambia pulled one try back before the break, but Dithupa combined with Bagwasi for the latter to seal a 17-5 victory with another try in the second half.

Kenya were crowned champions after beating Uganda 29-7 in an all East African final on Sunday afternoon.

The Kenyans took control of the match from the onset and lead 22-0 at the break. Uganda improved in the second half but failed to mount any serious fight back.

Victory in the final saw Kenya qualify for the 2018 World Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco in the United States of America in July.

Kenya advanced to the final after beating Madagascar 27-0 in the semifinal while Uganda defeated Tunisia 10-5 to reach the final. ENDS