Uganda Complete Unbeaten Campaign with Thrilling 56-53 Final Victory at Kasarani
Nairobi, Kenya – Uganda’s She Cranes are African champions once again, producing a stunning 56-53 victory over defending champions South Africa in a pulsating final at the Kasarani Indoor Arena to claim the 2026 Africa Netball Cup and dethrone the continent’s reigning powerhouse.
The triumph capped a flawless campaign in Nairobi and delivered sweet redemption for Uganda, who had suffered a heavy 56-34 defeat to the same South African side in the previous edition’s final just twelve months earlier. This time, the She Cranes turned the tables in the most emphatic fashion possible, denying the SPAR Proteas a fourth consecutive continental crown on the biggest stage.
A Perfect Path to the Final
Uganda’s road to glory was built on relentless consistency from the opening whistle. The She Cranes swept aside Nigeria 68-30 in their tournament opener before following up with a commanding 59-40 win over Zambia. A sterner test against hosts Kenya followed, but Uganda’s blend of speed, defensive pressure, and composure under control saw them home 62-42.
The group phase concluded with a nervier, far tighter affair against Malawi, with Uganda holding their nerve to edge out the Queens 53-49 and complete an unbeaten Pool 2 campaign, topping the group with a maximum eight points.
That set up a mouth-watering semifinal against Namibia, which Uganda navigated successfully to book their place in the final—setting up the mmeeting nearly everyone in Nairobi wanted to see: a rematch with defending champions South Africa, who progressed after seeing off Malawi in the other semifinal.
Final Drama at Kasarani
Saturday’s final delivered every bit of the drama it promised. With both sides having already secured their places at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney through their world rankings, the match carried no qualification stakes—only continental pride and bragging rights were on the line, and neither side gave an inch.
Uganda ultimately came out on top in a tight, closely fought contest, edging the SPAR Proteas 56-53 to complete their unbeaten run through the tournament and reclaim the Africa Netball Cup title they last held before South Africa’s recent run of dominance.
A Statement Season for Uganda
The victory represents the crowning moment of what has been a landmark year for Netball Uganda both on and off the court. It comes on the back of the federation’s own governance recovery, having reclaimed its NCS Certificate of Recognition after reforms following the 2023 crisis, and follows a Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow that saw Uganda finish sixth after also falling to South Africa in a classification match.
Saturday’s final result flips that narrative entirely. Having fallen twice to South Africa in as many major tournaments this year, the She Cranes have now delivered the statement win that matters most—on African soil, in a continental final, against the team that has defined the standard on the continent in recent years.
With qualification for Sydney 2027 already secured for both finalists, and Malawi and Namibia securing the continent’s two remaining World Cup slots through their semifinal runs, Africa will send four nations to next year’s global showpiece. Uganda now heads toward that tournament not just as a qualifier, but as reigning African champions—a status that will bring renewed expectation and belief into the biggest assignment on the netball calendar.
Uganda’s Path to the 2026 Africa Netball Cup Title:
- beat Nigeria 68-30
- beat Zambia 59-40
- beat Kenya 62-42
- beat Malawi 53-49
- semifinal win over Namibia
- Final: beat South Africa 56-53
