Zimbabwe are handed the trophy for winning the Rugby Sevens 2018 Africa Championship ©Rugby Afrique

Zimbabwe beat Kenya in the final of the Rugby Sevens 2018 Africa Championship in Monastir to qualify for the 2018-2019 World Series tournament next month.

The top 12 African teams - excluding South Africa - competed in the tournament in Tunisia, including defending champions Uganda and favourites Kenya. 

Zimbabwe beat Kenya 17-5 in the final.

"I'm very proud of our players," Zimbabwean coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba.

"This is a really special group full of rising stars in Zimbabwean rugby."

Zimbabwe celebrate winning the Rugby Sevens 2018 Africa Championship ©Rugby Afrique
Zimbabwe celebrate winning the Rugby Sevens 2018 Africa Championship ©Rugby Afrique

Nyamutsamba added: "With limited resources, these players, driven by national pride, gave their all.

"I have huge respect and affection for this team."

The Zimbabwe team have now been invited to participate in the 2018-2019 World Series tournament in Dubai on November 29 and December 1 and Cape Town on December 8 and 9.

They are then due to compete in the 2019-2020 World Series qualifier in Hong Kong in April.

They will joined by Kenya, who had already qualified, and Uganda, who finished third in the African Championship.