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Women’s rugby in Africa continues to record extraordinary developmental milestones across the continent.

 

Morocco’s pioneering national women’s rugby team will compete in its maiden international tournament during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026 Division One in Tunisia in May, following years of deliberate planning by the North African nation.

 

The tournament will now be contested by three teams following the withdrawal of Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

 

Hosts Tunisia will face Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire in the capital, Tunis, from 8–16 May.

 

The winner of the Tunis tournament will gain promotion to the top-tier league of women’s 15s rugby on the continent, the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Performance Division, for the 2027 season.

 

They will replace the bottom-placed side from this year’s Women’s Cup Performance Division in Nairobi, Kenya. That team will be relegated to the 2027 Division One edition.

 

Kenya is set to host the first-tier competition in Nairobi from 21–31 May in a four-nation contest that includes record defending champions South Africa, as well as Uganda and Madagascar.

 

The tone for African women’s rugby in the full format of the game this year will, however, be set in Tunis, in a shortened tournament expected to be closely contested by the three sides.

 

Morocco, the least experienced team in this three-team event, is not arriving at the tournament short of motivation and ambition.

 

Royal Moroccan Rugby Federation (FRMR) Chief Executive, Laila Boudhine, has high hopes for her fellow countrywomen’s ability to give it their best shot in Tunis.

“The goal is clear – be competitive and deliver strong performances,” Boudhine told Rugby Africa Media.

“If promotion comes as a result of that work, it will be fully deserved.”

Being new to both this tournament and international rugby does not faze the confident newcomers, who will endeavour to convert their underdog tag into a strength.

 

“Yes, it’s indeed our first time in this competition,” remarked Boudhine.

“We see it less as an advantage and more as an opportunity. Not having a historical reference in the tournament means we come in with fewer expectations and a strong sense of motivation. The key challenge will be how quickly we adapt to the intensity and rhythm of the tournament.”

 

Rugby is a popular sport among males in Morocco, with the national side having gained a foothold in Africa for decades. The men’s team has been a constant feature in continental competitions over the years, occasionally giving Africa’s best teams a good run for their money.

 

The women, however, have had to follow proceedings from a distance for the longest time. They are now creating an identity of their own, beginning in the Tunisian capital this May.

 

“Women’s rugby in Morocco is progressing steadily, with growing interest, improved organisation, and increasing support from institutions like Rugby Afrique,” commented Boudhine.

“We are aware that there is still a gap to close with more established nations, particularly in terms of regular high-level competition, but this tournament represents an important step in our long-term development.”

Furthermore, the spokesperson for the Tunisian Rugby Federation, Mr. Helmi Ben Salah, indicated that the hosts have set themselves the objective of securing first place, which would grant them access to the performance division, a qualifier for the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

He emphasized that one of the Tunisian team’s strengths lies in its consistent participation in this tournament (the last three editions) and in the synergy between experienced players and promising, dynamic, and constantly improving young players.

The spokesperson also stated that he expects the tournament to attract a large number of spectators, both at the competition venues and on social media.

The Ivorians, too, know the terrain well. They have featured in this event three times in recent years — in 2022, 2023, and 2025.

With Nigeria pulling out of the Division One tournament at the last minute, Côte d’Ivoire are eager to add a West African presence to next year’s Performance Division. Côte d’Ivoire hosted last year’s Women’s Cup Division One tournament.

Côte d’Ivoire Rugby President Lukas Koré believes the squad is steadily building toward higher ambitions:

“We obviously want to qualify for the top division.

We have young players who, despite their lack of experience, are real fighters. Our main strength lies in the contribution of our players competing in the French league and the team’s renewed cohesion. 

Objectively speaking, Tunisia are a cut above us. We will try to be uncompromising in defence and thus play Ivorian rugby, ‘Kpocan’, a blend of strength and resilience.”

Where to watch?

Rugby Africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RugbyAfrique

RugbyPass TV: https://rugbypass.tv

Match Day 1: Friday 08 May 2026 (Local Tunisia Time/GMT+1)

• 15:30 – Tunisia vs Côte d’Ivoire

 

Match Day 2: Tuesday 12 May 2026 (Local Tunisia Time/GMT+1)

• 15:30 –Morocco vs Cote d’Ivoire

 

Match Day 3: Saturday 16 May 2026 (Local Tunisia Time/GMT+1)

• 15:30 –Tunisia vs Morocco

Written by Enock Muchinjo