Nairobi — Nine countries will be in Uganda for the Africa Zone women's Rugby World Cup qualifier on September 20 and 21.

The countries - South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia, Cote d'Ivoire, Botswana and Madagascar - will be divided into three pools with the top three teams and the best-placed second team qualifying for the semi-finals.

According to the organisers, the bulk of the teams are expected in Kampala next Friday for the two-day tournament.

Kenya needs Sh500,000 to meet part of the trip's expenses which include training shirts, allowances, medical issues and the purchase equipment.

Uganda got a big boost when Ice-Mark Africa and Afri Hub Aviation gave Sh1 million sponsorship.

The travelling team will be named next week when coach Sammy Kemmey and the national Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba, Felix Ochieng (assistant coach), together with players, Innocent Simiyu and Humphrey Kayange, compare notes.

Players from the men's Sevens team have been helping coach the women's team. Nine of 16 women's teams have already booked their places at the Dubai event. Brazil were first to qualify from South America, followed by England, Netherlands, Russia, France, Spain and Italy from Europe and most recently Australia and New Zealand from Oceania.

After Africa's women face off in Uganda, Hong Kong will host qualifying for Asia's men and women on October 4 and 5.