Kenya’s national men’s netball team, Net Kings, are drawing motivation from the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on a medal last year as they target a podium finish at the forthcoming Africa Netball Championship in Nairobi.
Team manager Joseph Makau says the squad, which has been together for about three years, is well bonded and is now concentrating on correcting the mistakes that have denied them a place on the podium in the last two editions.
Makau noted that last year’s bronze-medal playoff loss to Eswatini remains particularly painful after Kenya surrendered a lead in the closing stages to lose by a single goal.
“The pain has been driving us and has been burning in our hearts since then,” disclosed Makau. “It is driving us towards achieving a podium finish in this edition of the championship.”
With the team unable to secure international build-up matches, the Net Kings are planning practice games against a select side comprising players who missed out on the final provisional squad, as well as university teams.
Makau said the matches, scheduled for the coming weekends, will provide valuable preparation despite the failure to attract stronger opposition from other countries because of unavoidable circumstances.
Kenya will compete for glory against defending champions South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Uganda, Botswana and Zimbabwe in the men’s competition.
Makau identified South Africa and Eswatini as the biggest threats, although he believes Kenya can overcome both with better execution.
“South Africa is always a major threat. The same case with Eswatini,” he pointed out, recalling that Kenya lost the semi-final to South Africa by three goals last year before falling to Eswatini by one goal in the bronze-medal playoff.
He added: “If we correct the mistakes that cost us those matches, which we are doing now, we will finish on the podium and our eyes are on the big prize, that is number one.”
Although the championship is not a direct World Cup qualifier like the one for women, Makau said a strong performance could potentially open the door for Kenya to represent Africa at a future men’s international event if plans to introduce a men’s competition materialise.
The manager also praised the new federation leadership under president Immaculate Kabutha for improving the players’ welfare, saying the team is happier and more comfortable in camp.
He noted that previous non-residential camps lacked basic provisions such as lunch and water, while access to training facilities and training conditions was also a challenge.
Makau said the changes introduced within weeks of the new office taking charge have boosted the players’ morale ahead of the championship.
Reports say South Africa will be the first team to arrive for the championship on Thursday.
The Africa men's and women's championship will be held at Kasarani Indoor Arena and Kasarani Annex gymnasium drom September 19-26, respectively.
The women's championship is a World Cup qualifying event.
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