Uganda’s She Cranes have been crowned 2026 African netball champions, holding their nerve to overcome South Africa’s SPAR Proteas 56–53 in a thrilling final at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.
In a contest befitting two of the continent’s established netball powers, Uganda produced a composed performance when the pressure reached its peak, denying South Africa a late comeback and reclaiming the continental crown.
The victory capped an unbeaten championship campaign for the She Cranes, who negotiated a demanding pool-stage schedule before advancing to the final.
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Uganda defeated Nigeria, Zambia, hosts Kenya and Malawi in the group phase, setting up a title showdown against a South African side that had also arrived at the final without a defeat.
The Proteas had topped Pool 1 with four victories before dispatching Malawi 62–46 in the semi-final to book their place in the championship match.
But when the two unbeaten sides finally met, it was Uganda who prevailed in a tightly contested encounter, with the three-goal margin separating the finalists at the final whistle.
The result crowns Uganda as Africa’s leading netball nation for the 2026 championship and provides a fitting conclusion to a tournament in which the She Cranes consistently combined attacking efficiency with composure under pressure.
Malawi and Namibia secure Sydney invitations
While Uganda celebrated the continental title, Malawi also had reason to celebrate after defeating Namibia 50–45 in the bronze-medal playoff.
The third-place finish carried significance beyond the podium.
Malawi and Namibia have earned invitations from World Netball to compete at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, joining Uganda and South Africa at the global showpiece.
Uganda and South Africa had already secured their places through their World Netball rankings as of 1 December 2025.
With the two ranked nations reaching the African championship final, the next two eligible teams — Malawi and Namibia — took the remaining continental invitations.
Africa will therefore send four teams to Sydney 2027: Uganda, South Africa, Malawi and Namibia.
Kenya finish fifth on home soil
Hosts Kenya signed off their campaign with a 63–57 victory over Zimbabwe in the fifth-place playoff.
The hosts had registered wins over Nigeria and Zambia during the tournament but fell short of a place in the knockout rounds after finishing behind the leading teams in their pool.
For Uganda, however, Nairobi ended with the ultimate prize — African champions after a 56–53 victory over South Africa.
