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Seasoned netball national team coach Peninah Nyakundi is facing a selection headache with a tight deadline of five days ahead of the 2024 Mirxes Nations Cup, scheduled for September 1-7 at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.

At the moment, the Kenya Netball Federation is yet to announce the team’s departure date, but intense training drills are in full swing at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

Speaking during the national team’s training session at the Ulinzi Sports Complex indoor facility in Nairobi on Tuesday, Nyakundi stated that she has a provisional squad of 22 players that needs to be trimmed to the final 12 by the 25th of this month as preparations intensify.

“We have selected a brilliant squad full of young and experienced players. There are alot of qualities that we are looking for, taking into consideration some upcoming players that have really stepped up from our Under-21 national team and now are eyeing a senior call up while others are returning after a sabbatical,” admitted Nyakundi, adding that it is now up to the players to prove their worth in under a week and impress the coaches.

Prisons Kenya veteran tactician Evelyne Cherono will assist Nyakundi on the technical bench, which also includes Ugandan import Mugisha Ali as head coach and Arne Bett as team manager during the games in Singapore.

Kenya aims to improve its continental rankings and qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

National league debutants Equity Bank have produced national Under-21 prodigies, with junior national team captain and center Miriam Wamani and goal shooter Delilah Akinyi both hoping to be included in the final squad.

Another national league rookie club, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), which recently signed former Ulinzi Swords goal attack Hellen Sinoya, hopes she makes the final cut along with teammates Winnie Akinyi, who plays wing defense, and goal shooter Nancy Opiyo.

Sinoya’s former employers, Ulinzi Swords, have the bulk of players in the provisional squad, with nine of them led by industrious wing defense Abigael Seme, goal defense Jackline Auro, center Elsa Ndong’, goal attack Dorine Akinyi and centers Vidah Otieno, Winfred Oyugi and Debra Khakula.

Nipher Adika is trying out as goal shooter, and Lilian Mboga is testing as goal defense.

Thirteen-time national league champions and current league leaders Prisons Kenya have eight players in the provisional squad, all hoping for the final cut, with close scrutiny from head coach Evelyn Cherono, who is also an assistant coach for the national team.
Goal attack Lydia Nyapera is currently in camp, a familiar environment she hopes to capitalize on as she aims for more caps with the national team.

Long-serving national team captain Parin Simiyu will be at goal defense, and wing defense Pauline Ramadhan is also in the provisional squad. Other Prisons Kenya players include goal defense Teresa Othuon, centers Mary Atieno and Irene Anyango, goal keeper Lucy Akumu, and goal attack Nancy Auro.