KENYA STEPS UP PREPARATIONS TO HOST AFRICA NETBALL CUP 2026

Kenya Prisons’ GA Lydia Nyapere in action during the national trials at Ulinzi Complex

NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya has intensified preparations to host the Africa Netball Cup 2026 after the successful conclusion of the Kenya Netball Federation (KNF) Cup, which also served as the national team selection tournament for the upcoming continental championship.

Held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, the two-day tournament brought together top clubs, schools, colleges, universities, and county teams from across the country, providing selectors with an opportunity to identify the best talent that will represent Kenya when Africa's finest netball nations converge in Nairobi from September 19th to 26th, 2026.

The Africa Netball Cup will be the official African qualifier for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027, with fifteen countries expected to compete in one of the continent's biggest Netball event held in Kenya for the very first time.

Kenya Netball Federation President Elizabeth Kabutha said the selection tournament marked an important milestone in assembling competitive national teams.

SOT – ELIZABETH KABUTHA, PRESIDENT, KENYA NETBALL FEDERATION

"We want to build a very strong team and these trials will allow us to pick the best for both men and women. We are also aiming to hold a world-class event in September when Africa converges in Nairobi for the biggest netball event in the continent."

National team coach Everlyne Cherop praised the quality of competition, saying the depth of talent displayed during the tournament would make team selection highly competitive.

SOT – EVERLYNE CHEROP, NATIONAL TEAM COACH

"All the teams have brought their very best game, which is a good challenge for us in selecting the national team. From here now we hope to go straight to camp."

Among the standout performers was Kenyan international Lydia Nyapere, who returned home after playing professionally for Makate Highflyers in Zimbabwe's top-flight league. The former Kenya Prisons star said she was excited to reunite with her former teammates and bring valuable international experience into the national team's preparations.

SOT – LYDIA NYAPERE, KENYA INTERNATIONAL

"I am happy to be back home and playing with people I have missed so much. Kenya Prisons is home for me because I played there for six years before moving to Zimbabwe. I have learnt a lot in a very competitive professional league, and I hope to share that experience with my teammates once we get into camp."

The tournament also highlighted the emergence of young talent, with players from schools such as Raila Educational Centre and Mbagathi Road, alongside university and college teams including Kiriri University and Mawego National Polytechnic, competing against established clubs from Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kilifi counties.

In the women's final, Kenya Prisons defeated Ulinzi 22–16 in a thrilling contest that underlined the growing competitiveness of Kenyan netball.

With the selection process complete, attention now turns to national team training camps as both the men's and women's teams begin preparations for the Africa Netball Cup, where Kenya will be aiming to challenge for the continental title and secure qualification for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.

As part of preparations for the historic tournament, the Kenya Netball Federation has also acquired a world-class wooden playing surface, which will be installed and tested at the Kasarani Indoor Arena ahead of the championship—the first time Kenya will host the Africa Netball Cup.

UPS and CUTS:

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Photos:

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