Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

Kenya’s Rising Lionesses made history at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, winning the women’s rugby sevens gold medal after edging Australia 17-12 in a dramatic sudden-death final.

The triumph marked the first time an African nation had won Olympic rugby sevens gold and Kenya’s first gold medal in a team sport at an Olympic event.

Australia led 5-0 before Kenya captain Zain Mohammed levelled matters at half-time. The Australians moved 12-5 ahead after the break, but Kenya refused to surrender.

Josephine Kerubo’s try and Diana Wanjiku’s conversion forced extra time at 12-12. Mitchelle Chemtai then delivered the golden-point try to seal the historic victory.

“In the first half, the game was tough,” said the Kenyan captain.

Head coach Knight Otuoma believes the triumph demonstrates the growing depth of women’s rugby in Kenya and offers an encouraging outlook for the sport’s future.

“It’s been a tough tournament, but we had prepared well. I just told the girls to go in and have fun, this means that Kenya Rugby we have depth…we have numbers, the future of rugby is bright.”

Kenya’s success was part of a memorable African showing. Madagascar’s Ladies Makis claimed bronze after beating Czechia 26–10, securing their country’s first-ever Olympic medal. The Malagasy side had topped their pool unbeaten before losing 15–5 to Kenya in the semi-finals.

South Africa’s men’s team also reached the final but settled for silver after a 26–19 defeat to France. The young Blitzboks had beaten Argentina 24–12 in the semi-finals.

For the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), the achievement carries significance beyond the rugby field.

“This win means a lot for us as a country, us as Africa, and us as the Olympic movement fraternity in Kenya. This being the first Olympics in Africa and us Kenyans being the first country to win in a team sport on the African soil shows that we have the skill, we have the talent, and of course with the necessary support, beating a team like Australia was not easy, we were very worried, and because of the tenacity our ladies had, we managed to win,” said John Onyango Ogolla, NOCK Secretary General.

Three African nations on the rugby podium underscored the continent’s emerging talent, with Dakar providing a historic platform for the next generation of African rugby.

Marabou News Agency

Editor: George Mutero

The post Kenya leads Africa’s rugby breakthrough with historic Dakar gold appeared first on Sports Network Africa.

IKENNE, OGUN STATE (Made In Africa Sport) – Super Falcons interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen believes Super Falcons have the quality to secure qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games after opening their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the second round of the African qualifiers.

Second-half goals from Michelle Alozie and Uchenna Kanu gave Nigeria a comfortable advantage in Friday’s first leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, following a goalless opening 45 minutes.

Speaking at the post-match press conference alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Eguavoen expressed confidence in the team’s potential and urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Super Falcons as they pursue an Olympic return.

Eguavoen also reflected on Nigeria’s recent disappointment in the race for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, insisting that the experience should serve as a lesson for the team going forward.

Eguavoen urges fans to back Falcons

Eguavoen acknowledged the disappointment surrounding Nigeria’s recent setbacks but maintained that the team could respond positively and compete for a place at the Olympics.

“It was not a disaster during WAFCON, for the fact that we dominated Africa for a very long time. It was expected,” Eguavoen said.

“The painful thing is the World Cup and that the country we played was drawn for the World Cup,” he added.

The coach noted that opponents often raise their performance when facing Nigeria, making it important for the Super Falcons to learn from their recent experiences.

“Bottom line is any team that plays against the Nigeria national team tends to raise their game, so it is a lesson we learned as a group. Going forward, we will not let such a mistake happen,” he said.

Eguavoen also called on supporters to stand behind the team, stressing that their progress would require collective effort.

“It is not so easy, but we know now, and all we beg from you is to support us in every way you can because best believe this team has potential,” he concluded.

Coach admits first-half concerns

Despite Nigeria’s dominance in the opening half against Comoros, the Super Falcons went into the break without a goal, raising questions about their finishing.

Eguavoen admitted he felt nervous as the team struggled to convert its chances but said he remained confident that the breakthrough would eventually come.

“I was nervous to start. It was an away game anyway, and a draw away from home would’ve been good, but not for our own pedigree and the quality we have,” he said.

“We played Comoros with utmost respect, but the first half was a bit worrisome, but I knew we were going to score because we were dominating from the beginning to the end of the first half,” he added.

The Super Falcons eventually found their rhythm after the interval, with Alozie breaking the deadlock before Kanu added a second goal to put Nigeria in control of the tie.

While acknowledging Comoros’ resistance, Eguavoen maintained that Nigeria had demonstrated their superiority over the course of the contest.

“Comoros team gave a good fight, but we still showed our superiority,” he said.

Oshoala unavailable for return leg

Eguavoen also confirmed that experienced forward Asisat Oshoala would miss both legs of the Olympic qualifying tie as she recovers from a hamstring injury.

Her absence leaves Nigeria without one of their most experienced attacking options, although the team managed to secure a two-goal advantage in the opening fixture.

The Super Falcons will face Comoros again on Tuesday, 13 October, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne for the return leg. Both matches are being staged in Nigeria because Comoros does not have a Confederation of African Football-approved venue for international fixtures.

Nigeria must protect their advantage to advance to the next stage of the qualifying series. The winner of the tie will progress to the third round, where Morocco await following the withdrawal of the Republic of the Congo.

With only two African places available for the LA 2028 Women’s Football Tournament, Eguavoen’s immediate task is to guide the Super Falcons through the Comoros challenge and keep their Olympic ambitions on course.

The post Eguavoen confident Super Falcons will reach LA 2028 Olympics appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

IKENNE, NIGERIA (Made In Africa Sport) – The Super Falcons of Nigeria beat Comoros 2-0 in the first leg of their second-round qualifying tie for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on Friday, October 9, 2006.

The match was played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, as Comoros do not have a CAF-approved stadium.

Defender Michelle Alozie opened the scoring shortly after the restart before forward Uchenna Kanu doubled Nigeria’s lead to give the Super Falcons a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg.

Super Falcons held goalless at half-time

Despite creating several chances in the first half, Nigeria could not find the breakthrough before the interval.

Uchenna Kanu had an attempt blocked by a Comoros defender in the 18th minute, while Alozie missed an opportunity moments later after beating a defender in a one-on-one situation.

Comoros goalkeeper Aicha Said also denied Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade in the 25th minute as the visitors held firm.

Both teams went into the break with the score at 0-0.

Alozie, Kanu seal Super Falcons victory

Nigeria broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart, with Alozie finding the net in the 47th minute.

Kanu extended the lead in the 59th minute, heading home Jennifer Echegini’s corner to put the Super Falcons in control of the tie.

Nigeria continued to push for more goals but could not add to their tally.

The victory gives the Super Falcons a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg, with a clean sheet further strengthening their position in the tie.

Super Falcons face Comoros in return leg

Nigeria will host Comoros again at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for the return leg.

The Super Falcons will aim to protect their advantage and advance to the third round of the Olympic qualifiers.

The winner on aggregate will face Morocco in the next round after the North African side received a bye following the withdrawal of the Republic of the Congo.

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