Cherono builds versatile Kenya netball squad for World Cup push

BY NEWSFLASH REPORTER

Kenya is working to build a versatile squad capable of filling multiple positions as coach Evelyn Cherono fine-tunes the team ahead of the Africa Netball World Cup qualifiers in Nairobi.

With the September 19-26 championship drawing closer, Cherono says the technical bench is using the remaining training period to improve fitness, sharpen skills and test players’ ability to switch positions before settling on the final squad.

Cherono, who also coaches Kenya Prisons, is currently working with 18 players at the Kasarani Annex, with the squad set to be trimmed to 15, comprising 12 match-day players and three reserves.

“At the moment, we are focusing on skills and fitness so that by next week, we will know who will play which position and who can cover different positions,” explained Cherono.

The emphasis on versatility could prove crucial for Kenya as they prepare for a demanding Pool A campaign against South Africa, Malawi, Namibia and Nigeria.

Kenya will open their campaign against Nigeria on September 19 at 7pm before facing the other opponents in a tournament where only two teams will secure tickets to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Cherono believes Kenya must be particularly wary of South Africa, who recently competed at the Commonwealth Games, while Nigeria presents another challenge because of the limited information available to the Kenyan technical bench.

“Of course, South Africa because they were from Commonwealth last month and maybe Nigeria, we have never seen them. So, we cannot predict and say we are going to beat them,” she said.

Hosts face tough qualification battle

The coach’s cautious approach reflects the high-stakes facing the hosts, who are chasing a historic first qualification for the global tournament.

Kenya’s preparations have so far been conducted largely outdoors at Kasarani because the indoor arena is hosting the Africa Women’s Volleyball Nations Championship. The team is expected to move into residential camp after the volleyball tournament, allowing the technical bench to intensify preparations.

Cherono is also benefiting from the presence of Zimbabwean coach Tapiwa Chirenda, who has joined the Kenyan technical team on a short-term assignment covering the qualifiers.

The Nairobi tournament carries additional significance as it marks the first time an East African country will host the continental World Cup qualifiers.

With South Africa and Uganda already qualified through their world rankings, Kenya’s attention is firmly on securing one of the remaining two tickets.

For Cherono, the immediate task is to build a flexible squad capable of responding to different opponents and match situations when the pressure rises.

“I have 18 players training and we are all good to go. The team is well and we hope for the best,” she concluded.