NAIROBI, Kenya, June 20, 2025 – National women’s netball coach Mugisha Ali says his team have improved offensively with every game at the ongoing United Arab Emirates (UAE) Netball Cup in Dubai.
Ali says his charges’ offensive nous has gone another level, having struggled with this area of their game at the start of the tourney.
“We didn’t have enough time back home to train and to look into the offensive part of our game. That’s why we are so good defensively…but when we had a day off yesterday (Tuesday), we had one and a half hours to work on our offensive play…looking at the underpass and transitions. That’s why you can now see a difference in transitions and our shooting,” the Ugandan said.
The Divas notched their second triumph at the round robin competition, seeing off the hosts 58-50 in a pulsating showdown at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai.
UAE were no walk in the park though, pushing Ali’s charges to the wire in the first quarter before the Kenyans won 13-12.
A tactical switch in the second quarter — moving Lucy Akumu to goalkeeper while shifting Delilah Akinyi to the shooting circle — paid handsomely for Kenya as they widened the lead to 30-23 at halftime.
UAE struggled to keep up with the fast tempo of the Kenyans, who closed the third quarter with a 46-37 lead.
The momentum seemed to swing in the hosts’ favour in the last quarter but Kenya had done just enough to ensure a good day in the office for the second successive game.
Ali was delighted with the girls’ pinpoint execution of the tactical strategy.
“The team were well prepared mentally. Everybody wanted to win the game. This is the second time we are facing UAE…they beat us in Singapore the last time round. They are a very organised team. I appreciate them and they are a very good side to watch but for us as well, we improved on our offensive side. We were more aware of the spaces around us and of course we played different kinds of defensive formations,” the coach said.
Following the win, Kenya will now feature in the bronze medal showdown.
