netball 15 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
She Cranes and Rock Aim for Continental Glory in Nairobi
Uganda's national netball teams, the She Cranes (women) and the Rock (men), have departed for Nairobi, Kenya, to compete in the Africa Netball Championships. The She Cranes aim to reclaim the title and secure a strong ranking ahead of the 2027 Netball World Cup. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/she-cranes-rock-depart-for-africa-netball-championships-5595950
The Ugandan national netball teams, the She Cranes and the Rock, have commenced their journey to Nairobi, Kenya, for the highly anticipated 2026 Africa Netball Championships. The tournament is set to begin this Saturday, with both squads departing after a rigorous training camp.
The She Cranes, in particular, are heading into the competition with significant momentum. Fresh off a week-long intensive training camp in Mpigi and bolstered by their performance in the domestic league and recent international exposure at the Commonwealth Games, the team is confident. Assistant captain Shaffie Nalwanja highlighted the blend of experienced Commonwealth Games players and promising new talent as a key strength.
Both teams received an official send-off, with officials from the National Council of Sports expressing high expectations for strong performances. For the She Cranes, this championship offers a crucial opportunity to win the trophy they last secured in 2018. Netball Uganda president Jocelyn Ucanda emphasized the importance of winning, stating, “If we beat South Africa who are ahead of us in rankings, then we stand a chance of improving in ranks.” This tournament also serves as a vital competitive benchmark as Uganda prepares for future global events.
While Uganda and South Africa have already secured their spots in the 2027 Netball World Cup, the other participating nations will be vying for the remaining qualification slots. This year’s championship features ten countries, including debutants Nigeria, alongside established netball powerhouses like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania. South Africa are the current defending champions, while Uganda holds a history of back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018.