Sports 16 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
She Cranes Kick Off Africa Netball Championship Against Nigeria
Uganda's national netball team, the She Cranes, will begin their Africa Netball Championship campaign against debutants Nigeria this Sunday in Nairobi. The men's team, The Rock, starts Saturday against hosts Kenya. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/she-cranes-to-open-africa-championship-campaign-against-nigeria-5596890
The She Cranes are set to make their opening move at the Africa Netball Championships this Sunday, facing a challenge from Nigeria in Nairobi, Kenya. The tournament, which begins on Saturday, will see both Uganda’s men’s and women’s national netball teams compete.
The men’s team, dubbed ‘The Rock’, will commence their campaign on Saturday against the host nation, Kenya.
Sunday’s schedule features a compelling encounter between Uganda and Nigeria, serving as the day’s concluding match. This game follows other fixtures including Namibia vs. Botswana, Malawi vs. Kenya, and South Africa vs. Zimbabwe. Notably, this marks Nigeria’s inaugural appearance in the championship.
Uganda’s She Cranes acknowledge a lack of tactical insight into Nigeria’s playing style due to their newcomer status. Nevertheless, the team is resolute in treating every match with the gravity of a final, prioritizing a strong start to the competition.
Captain Rachael Nanyonga emphasized the team’s commitment to respecting all opponents, including the unfamiliar Nigerian side. “We are not going to underestimate this team, our aim is winning all our fixtures with the same intensity,” Nanyonga stated.
This year’s championship includes a total of nine participating nations. Uganda finds itself in Group 2, competing against Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Group 1 consists of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and Tanzania.