She Cranes Win Africa Netball Cup Title with Thrilling 56-53 Victory Over South Africa

In a tense, high-stakes final at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi on September 26, 2026, Uganda’s She Cranes defeated defending champions South Africa 56-53 to win the Africa Netball Cup.

The She Cranes led 31-27 at halftime and held their nerve in a closely contested second half to seal the win. They completed the tournament unbeaten, claiming their first continental title since 2018 and sparking nationwide celebrations back home.

Netball Uganda President Jocelyn Ucanda dedicated the triumph to the fans. “This win is dedicated to all Ugandans who love Netball,” she said. South Africa, despite the heartbreak of losing their crown, offered gracious congratulations to the new champions.

Uganda’s path to the title was impressive. The side topped their pool with victories over Nigeria, Zambia, hosts Kenya, and Malawi before defeating Namibia 52-41 in the semi-final. South Africa, who had dominated recent editions (including a comprehensive win over Uganda in the 2025 final), advanced after beating Malawi in the other semi. Both teams had already secured qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup via world rankings, making the final a pure contest for continental supremacy.

The victory marks a significant milestone for the She Cranes under head coach Rashid Mubiru. It ends a period of near-misses against their strongest African rivals and reaffirms Uganda’s place among the continent’s elite. Fans across the country are already celebrating the return of the Africa Netball Cup to Ugandan hands after eight years.

This hard-fought success provides the perfect springboard as the team builds toward future international challenges, including the 2027 World Cup in Sydney.