Uganda will chase medals on two fronts as the 2026 Africa Netball Cup enters its decisive stages in Nairobi.
The She Cranes have advanced directly to Saturday’s women’s final against defending champions South Africa following a revision to the competition format.
Uganda’s men, meanwhile, will face hosts Kenya on Friday in the bronze-medal play-off after missing out on the championship final.
Africa Netball confirmed on Thursday that the women’s semi-finals would no longer be played, with the winners of the 2 preliminary pools progressing directly to the final.
Uganda topped Pool 2 after completing the preliminary stage unbeaten, while South Africa finished first in Pool 1.
The change gives the She Cranes an extra day to prepare for another meeting with South Africa, one of the continent’s strongest netball nations.
Uganda had already secured qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney through the World Netball Rankings of December 1, 2025.
The Nairobi competition is primarily about continental honours for the She Cranes, while other African teams competed for the remaining World Cup places.
Malawi and Namibia have now secured the 2 additional African invitations to Sydney 2027 after finishing second in their respective pools.
For Uganda’s men, attention turns to Friday’s meeting with Kenya for third place.
Kenya booked their place in the bronze-medal match after defeating Malawi 43-31 in Thursday’s Play-off A at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The hosts led 10-8 after the opening quarter and 20-17 at half-time before taking control of the contest in the third quarter.
Kenya outscored Malawi 12-4 during that period to establish a 32-21 advantage before seeing out the victory.
They will now meet Uganda with a place on the men’s podium at stake.
South Africa and Eswatini, who finished first and second respectively during the men’s round-robin stage, will contest Saturday’s final.
For Uganda, the closing 2 days offer opportunities for medals in both competitions.
The men can secure bronze against the hosts on Friday, before the She Cranes attempt to win the women’s African title against South Africa on Saturday.
The 2026 Africa Netball Cup concludes on September 26 at Kasarani in Nairobi.