Kenya’s national netball team head coach Mugisha Ali has made it clear that the country’s primary objective is securing qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
This goal is central to the team’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Netball Cup, scheduled to take place from December 9-14, 2024, at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Speaking on Tuesday at the team’s training base at Lang’ata’s Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi, the Mirxes Nations Cup-winning coach stated that winning three to four games in Namibia could propel Kenya’s global ranking to positions 14-12. This improvement would significantly enhance their chances of qualifying for the Glasgow Games.
“The ladies are in good form, except for a few we had to drop due to personal reasons. However, their replacements have proven to the coaching staff that they can perform just as well, if not better. For the women, we want to build on our Mirxes Nations Cup success, while the men must make their mark after three years away from the international stage,” noted Mugisha.
The Ugandan tactician, supported by Prisons Kenya head coach Evelyn Jerono and national team coach Peninah Nyakundi, will finalise the two squads to 12 players each by next week on Sunday, December 1, as preparations intensify.
Kenya’s women’s netball team made history by winning the Mirxes Nations Cup in Singapore during their debut in September, an achievement that saw them rise to 26th globally and 7th in Africa. Meanwhile, the men’s team has not competed internationally since 2019.
The Namibian Netball Association, in partnership with the Namibia Sports Commission, has confirmed that Swakopmund is ready to host the tournament.
