Kenya team manager Camiline Awuor has claimed the Africa Women's Sevens Championship starting tomorrow in Botswana is "ours to lose" ©Getty Images

Kenya team manager Camiline Awuor has claimed the African Women's Sevens Championship starting tomorrow in Botswana is "ours to lose" following the withdrawal of defending champions South Africa.

Awuor piled the pressure on the Kenyan team to ensure they lift the trophy at the end of the two-day event in Gaborone, which concludes on Sunday (May 27).

South Africa have opted not to compete in order to focus on the Sevens World Cup in San Francisco in July.

Their absence has opened the door for the other African nations and Awuor has urged her players to capitalise.

"The African Women's Sevens Championship is ours to lose," she was quoted as saying by Chinese news agency Xinhua.

South Africa have opted not to compete to focus on the World Cup in July ©Getty Images
South Africa have opted not to compete to focus on the World Cup in July ©Getty Images

"For the last decade, Kenya and South Africa have jostled for the bragging rights as the best in Africa. 

"We lost to South Africa last year and lost the bid to go to the World Cup in San Francisco."

Kenya have been drawn in pool one alongside Madagascar and Senegal.

Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe comprise pool two and pool three features Morocco, Botswana, Mauritius and Zambia.

"It is wonderful for Botswana Rugby to showcase women's rugby and be part of the future pathway for these female athletes," said Botswana Rugby Federation President Dave Gilbert.

"We are very excited to be organizing and hosting this event which is the first of its kind in rugby in Africa."