Chirenda’s Kenyan connection behind surprise coaching role

BY NEWSFLASH REPORTER

Zimbabwean coach Tapiwa Chirenda’s decision to take up a temporary coaching role with Kenya ahead of the upcoming Africa Netball Cup qualifiers has its roots in an earlier connection with a Kenyan player.

Chirenda revealed that his involvement with Lydia Nyapera, whom he helped secure a move to Zimbabwe to play in the country’s league, gave him an opportunity to learn more about Kenyan netball and eventually paved the way for his appointment to the national team.

The experienced coach, who has worked with Zimbabwe’s men’s and women’s national teams as well as several other teams and players across Africa, said his relationship with Nyapera helped develop his affinity for Kenya.

He described Nyapera as a professional player and noted that she was the first Kenyan to play full-time professional netball outside the country.

That experience increased his interest in Kenyan netball before he eventually accepted the opportunity to work with the national team.

Two weeks into his assignment, Chirenda believes Kenya has the ingredients to make a major impact on the African stage.

“The Kenyan team is good, and it has been coming up in rankings all through the years,” he said.

He credited previous coaches for laying a strong foundation and predicted that Kenya could become one of Africa’s leading netball nations within two years if its progress continues.

“The other coaches have done a good job prior to my coming here. I see Kenya going far in the next two years. It can become a powerhouse of Africa,” said Chirenda.

Chirenda pledges loyalty to Kenya

His appointment has also created an intriguing subplot because Zimbabwe, his home country, is among the teams competing in Nairobi.

Chirenda, however, said his commitment during the tournament would be firmly with Kenya.

“Obviously, my loyalty will be with my new adopted country, Kenya,” he said.

He has promised supporters a transformation in the way Kenya approaches the game, saying his target is to produce an entertaining style of netball.

“To the Kenyan fans, what I can promise them is you will see a different brand of netball,” he said.

Kenya will need to finish among the top two teams at the September 19-26 qualifiers to secure its maiden appearance at the Netball World Cup.

The Nairobi tournament brings together Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Tanzania and Nigeria.

South Africa and Uganda have already qualified for the 2027 World Cup in Sydney.

Officials undergo technical training

While Kenya prepares for the biggest qualification challenge in its history, Chirenda will also draw on his experience from Zimbabwe and across the continent as he attempts to turn the hosts into serious contenders.

Meanwhile, Africa Netball technical delegate Magriet Bester said almost 200 officials had participated in a technical course in Nairobi focusing on scorekeeping, timekeeping and statistics.

Bester, Head of Technical at Rector Ampas from Netball South Africa, said officials from Uganda also attended the training.

She is expected back in Kenya a week before the September 19 opening for a refresher course as preparations for the tournament enter the final phase.

Netball Kenya president Immaculate Kabutha has meanwhile declared the country ready to host what she described as a historic Africa Netball regional qualifier.