Riding high on their perfect run at the 2025 Celtic Cup in Glasgow, Uganda’s senior women’s netball team, the She Cranes, are now setting their sights on the Africa Netball Cup in Lilongwe, Malawi. The tournament, scheduled for December 8–14 at the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex, also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition.
The She Cranes head into the continental showdown brimming with confidence after their dominant performances in Glasgow. Their recent victory has not only strengthened team morale but is also expected to positively influence their world rankings once officially confirmed, giving them a psychological advantage as they prepare to face Africa’s best.
Last year, Uganda fell short in the final, losing 65–50 to the Spar Proteas—a setback many analysts linked to the two-year suspension of the Uganda Netball Super League, which disrupted player development and competitive consistency. This year, the She Cranes are determined to rewrite history and prove that their current form is unstoppable.
In the official draw, Uganda was placed in Pool A alongside familiar regional competitors Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Despite the challenging lineup, Uganda’s momentum and recent form make them clear favourites to progress to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Pool B promises fierce competition with host nation Malawi, defending champions South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania battling for supremacy.
Uganda’s Pool A rivals include Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, all teams with potential to challenge the She Cranes, but Uganda’s cohesion and confidence from Glasgow give them a decisive edge. Pool B, featuring Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania, represents a more unpredictable field that will test the continent’s strongest squads.
The men’s Africa Netball Cup will take place alongside the women’s tournament, with Uganda’s male team also drawn into Pool A alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Pool B for the men includes Malawi, Eswatini, Kenya, and Namibia, setting the stage for a rigorous battle for World Cup qualification.
As the She Cranes finalize preparations, expectations are sky-high. Fans and commentators alike are eager to see whether Uganda can carry their Celtic Cup momentum into Malawi, maintain their unbeaten streak, and secure a crucial step toward Sydney 2027.
The upcoming Africa Netball Cup promises electrifying matches, high-stakes competition, and a platform for Uganda’s netball stars to showcase their talent. If the She Cranes perform as expected, they could cement their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s netball.
