Both Kenyan men and women needs a must win to progress into the semifinals of the ongoing at Africa Netball Cup ahead of 2027 Netball World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya’s women- Kenya Divas lost 62-42 against Uganda in a one-sided encounter in Pool Two encounter today at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, Nairobi.
To progress, the Divas must beat Zambia tomorrow in their last pool match, hoping Uganda overcome Malawi to keep their dreams of reaching the semi-finals and securing a World Cup place alive.
Kenya coach Tapiwa Chirenda questioned inconsistency officiating of officials that Kenya was repeatedly penalised while Uganda appeared to escape punishment for similar contact.
“I usually don’t complain about umpiring. The Malawi game, I kept quiet, but this one is too much. You get 16 advances, how does that happen in a game? Our shooters are getting beaten, no caution on the other team. But for us, just brushing past someone, there is a contact.”
Uganda and reigning champions South Africa have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Sydney through their World Netball rankings. Two more African teams will qualify from the remaining eight nations at the tournament.
The Kenyan men side Kenya Net Kings will face off with Eswatini in a must win encounter as champions South Africa booked their place in the men’s final after trouncing Malawi 50-40.
The South Africans have remained unbeaten, thumping Eswatini, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi to secure their place in the final.
South Africa assistant coach Siyabonga Khuzwayo said the team was satisfied with its campaign, but would use the remaining time to address mistakes before the final.
“So far so good for us. I am happy we have won all our games. We just need to correct errors and we are ready to go in the finals. I am hoping we will win the final and bring the cup home. We are going to analyse our opponents so that we can be ready to go. They have raised the bar high so it is no long a walk in the park,” he noted.
Attention now turns to Kenya Net Kings, who will return to the court on Wednesday for a do-or-die fixture against Eswatini.
Coach Peter Oloo’s charges have lost twice and won once, the same record as Uganda, while Eswatini have lost once.
The men’s cup has attracted five countries — Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Eswatini and defending champions South Africa.
In the women’s competition, 10 teams are divided into two pools. Pool One has South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania, while Pool Two comprises Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya Divas and debutants Nigeria.