The Safari 7s 2025 Women’s Category Main Cup final will be a thrilling East African Derby encounter, as the Kenya Lionesses are set to face the Uganda Lady Cranes this evening at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The Kenya Lionesses narrowly escaped a scare from the Shogun Ladies, edging them out 12-10 in a tense second semifinal, while the Uganda Lady Cranes staged an upset by defeating the defending champions, Costa Blanca Barbarians, with a 17-12 victory.
Safari 7s Women’s Category Semifinal Recap
Shogun Ladies were the first to score, crossing the line just three minutes into the match as the Lionesses’ defenders struggled to contain them.
However, seconds after the restart, the Lionesses responded brilliantly. A powerful run by Freshia Odour saw her slice through the Shogun defence, and she successfully converted her own try to seize a 7-5 lead.
Following a solid scrum, the phenomenal Edith Nariaka replicated Odour’s effort, sprinting at full pace to extend the Lionesses’ advantage to 12-5 after Sinaida Mokaya missed the conversion.
With the last play of the half, Shogun managed to reduce the deficit to just two points.
The match culminated in a nail-biting final minute, with Shogun pressing hard, but they were met by a resolute defence from Simon Odongo’s charges, allowing Kenya to secure their place in the all-East African final against Uganda.
In the first women’s semifinal, the Uganda Lady Cranes were pitted against the defending champions, Costa Blanca Barbarians.
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The Lady Cranes drew first blood after a period of sustained pressure in the Costa half, with Namabiro Lydia touching down for a 5-0 lead.
Shortly after the restart, they extended their lead through Grace Nabaggala, who pierced the Costa defence to ground the ball between the posts.
A successful conversion gave them a commanding 12-0 lead at halftime.
The Barbarians hit back immediately in the second half, with Yuana Stellah scoring and converting her own try just a minute after kickoff, narrowing the gap to 12-7.
Costa then capitalised on a defensive lapse from Uganda, with Abril Kamacho scoring to level the match at 12-12.
Undeterred, Namabiro scored a decisive try shortly after, exploiting a gap on the right flank and surging through to reclaim a 17-12 lead.
With time already up on the clock, Costa was reduced to six players on the field, and Uganda expertly closed out the game to advance to the finals, ensuring we will crown a new champion in the women’s category.
Safari 7s 2025 – Final Day Schedule
Women – Main Cup Quarterfinals Results
- Uganda 34-0 Cubs
- Shogun 17-12 Tunisia
- Lionesses 24-5 Mwamba Select
Women – Semifinals
- 13:08: SF1 – Uganda Lady Cranes 17-12 Costa Blanca
- 13:30: SF2 – Kenya Lionesses 12-10 Shogun
Women – Main Cup Final