By GPC Sports Reporter
Kenya’s Net Kings missed out on a medal for the second successive year after losing 46-35 to Uganda in the bronze-medal playoff of the African Netball Championship at Kasarani Indoor Arena on Friday.
The defeat means Kenya will again finish outside the medals after losing the bronze-medal match to Eswatini at the previous edition in Malawi in 2025.
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Uganda, meanwhile, claimed their first medal in their second appearance at the continental championship, with head coach Asiimwe Jesse saying the result reflected the team’s progress after finishing fifth last year.
Kenya made a bright start, with goal shooter Christovin Juma and goal attack Victor Mbithi putting the Net Kings 3-0 ahead.
Uganda gradually worked their way back into the contest, however, capitalising on Kenyan turnovers and lapses in possession to take a 12-10 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Coach Peter Oloo’s charges continued to struggle with ball retention in the second quarter as Uganda applied pressure across the court. A stolen pass intended for Mbithi and several misplaced long passes allowed Uganda to extend their advantage.
Despite goals from Mbithi and Juma, Kenya went into the break 27-15 down.
The Net Kings attempted to fight back in the third quarter, with Juma and Mbithi scoring regularly, but Uganda remained composed and continued to punish Kenyan turnovers to maintain control.
Kenya trailed 36-24 heading into the final quarter.
The Net Kings produced their strongest spell late in the match, with Mbithi scoring five times as Kenya cut the deficit to 42-32 with five minutes remaining.
The comeback hopes were short-lived, however, as Uganda held their nerve to secure victory.
A misplaced pass from Isaac Langat went straight to a Ugandan player, who converted, while Kenya failed to take advantage of their remaining opportunities. Mbithi also missed a late penalty as Uganda completed the 46-35 win.
Kenya midfielder Stanley Benaia identified defensive cohesion as one of the team’s main weaknesses.
“Today’s game was smart. We tried to play well, but not to our capacity,” said Benaia. “The challenge we had today against Uganda was our defence.”
He said Kenya had at times relied too heavily on the goal defence and goalkeeper instead of defending collectively.
“When we stopped playing defence as a unit, we left it to the three of them. It is where the gap grew,” he said.
Benaia called for a stronger bench and greater development of younger players as Kenya looks to improve its performance in future continental competitions.
Uganda coach Jesse said his team had deliberately sought to disrupt Kenya’s aerial game while applying man-to-man defence.
“Since Kenya players are so fast, we tried our best to dictate the play on defence, to press them, to force them to make turnovers,” said Jesse.
The strategy earned Uganda their first continental medal.
“We are so much excited about winning the bronze medal,” Jesse said. “This is not a bad start. We are looking forward to winning a gold medal come next year.”
Attention shifts
South Africa and Eswatini will contest the men’s gold medal on Saturday, while Malawi finished last in the men’s round-robin competition.
Attention now turns to the women’s competition, with Kenya’s Divas set to face Zimbabwe in a fifth-place ranking match after World Netball’s decision on qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
The decision means Malawi and Namibia will take part in the World Cup, while Kenya and Zimbabwe will contest the lower ranking positions.
Divas head coach Tapiwa Chirenda said the development had been difficult for his players to process but urged them to refocus on completing the championship strongly.
“It’s very difficult now,” said the Zimbabwean coach. “We have to go back, reorient the girls, get their mindset back, and just try and play for the rankings.”
South Africa and Uganda had already secured World Cup qualification through their world rankings before the September 19-26 championship. The two sides also topped Pool One and Pool Two respectively and will meet in Saturday’s final.
Malawi and Namibia, who finished second in their respective pools, will contest the bronze medal on Friday.
