Uganda’s Netball Teams Make Their Mark in Nairobi as She Cranes Reclaim African Crown
Uganda’s Netball She Cranes reclaimed the African netball title with a 56–53 victory over South Africa, while the men secured bronze at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi. The women’s competition also confirmed Africa’s four representatives for Sydney 2027.
The She Cranes emerged as continental champions, while Uganda’s men secured bronze at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, with the women’s competition also confirming Africa’s representatives for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.
Uganda’s national netball teams delivered memorable performances at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, as the She Cranes reclaimed the women’s continental title and the men’s team finished third.
The championship, held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, from 19 to 26 September, brought together African nations for a competition that combined the pursuit of continental honours with the women’s qualification pathway to the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.
For Uganda, the tournament ended with silverware for the women, a podium finish for the men and renewed momentum for the country’s netball programme.
She Cranes Crowned African Champions
Uganda’s women’s national team, the She Cranes, finished their campaign unbeaten to lift the 2026 Africa Netball Cup trophy after defeating defending champions South Africa 56–53 in a closely contested final on 26 September.
The victory completed a strong run through the competition. Uganda topped Pool 2 after winning all four of their group matches against Nigeria, Zambia, hosts Kenya and Malawi. The team then overcame Namibia 52–41 in the semi-final before facing South Africa in the championship decider.
Against the Proteas, the She Cranes maintained their composure in a competitive encounter to secure the three-goal victory and reclaim the African crown.
The result also ended an eight-year wait for Uganda’s next continental title, following previous championship victories in 2014, 2017 and 2018.
South Africa finished as runners-up, while Malawi took third place after defeating Namibia 50–45 in the bronze-medal match.
Uganda’s Men Secure Bronze
Uganda’s men also finished on the podium after defeating hosts Kenya 46–35 in the third-place playoff on 25 September.
The victory secured the team third place in the men’s competition, behind champions South Africa and runners-up Eswatini. South Africa retained the men’s continental title after beating Eswatini 49–45 in the final.
The men’s bronze-medal finish gave Uganda another podium result at a championship featuring some of the continent’s leading netball nations.
While the women competed for the Africa Netball Cup title alongside the Sydney 2027 qualification process, the men’s competition determined the continental championship standings rather than qualification for the women’s World Cup.
Africa’s Road to Sydney 2027 Confirmed
Beyond the battle for the continental trophy, the women’s competition carried additional significance as part of Africa’s qualification pathway for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.
Uganda and South Africa had already secured their places at the global tournament through the World Netball rankings published on 1 December 2025.
The Nairobi competition confirmed Malawi and Namibia as the two additional African teams to be invited to compete at Sydney 2027, completing Africa’s four representatives.
The four African teams heading to the global event are therefore:
- Uganda
- South Africa
- Malawi
- Namibia
The qualification outcome provides the four nations with an opportunity to represent Africa on the world stage when the tournament takes place in Sydney, Australia, in 2027.
Final Standings
Women — 2026 Africa Netball Cup
Position Team
1st Uganda
2nd South Africa
3rd Malawi
4th Namibia
5th Kenya
6th Zimbabwe
7th Zambia
8th Botswana
9th Tanzania
10th Nigeria
Men-2026 Africa Netball Cup
PositionTeam
1st South Africa
2nd Eswatini
3rd Uganda
4th Kenya
5th Malawi
Building on Uganda’s Netball Progress
The results in Nairobi provide a positive platform for Uganda’s continued participation in international netball. The women’s title demonstrates the team’s ability to sustain a winning campaign through the group stage and deliver in a high-pressure final, while the men’s bronze-medal finish adds to Uganda’s representation among Africa’s leading teams.
For the She Cranes, attention now turns towards preparations for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027, where they will join South Africa, Malawi and Namibia as representatives of the continent.
For Uganda’s men, the third-place finish provides a foundation on which to build as the team continues its pursuit of further continental success.
As the Uganda Olympic Committee continues to support the country’s participation in international sport, the performances in Nairobi offer an opportunity to celebrate the athletes, coaches and support teams contributing to Uganda’s sporting journey.
Uganda leaves the 2026 Africa Netball Cup with the women’s continental crown, a men’s bronze medal and both teams having made their mark on the competition.
