Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya’s women’s national netball team, the Divas, remain confident of securing a place at the 2027 Netball World Cup despite missing out on the Commonwealth Games, according to skipper Perin Simiyu.
The 2027 global tournament is set for Sydney, Australia, from July 28 to August 6, and represents the team’s next major target after their Commonwealth qualification hopes were dashed.
Kenya’s chances of reaching the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow slipped during the UAE Netball Cup in Dubai, a key qualifying event. With only the top 11 nations in the World Netball Rankings as of September 1, 2025, guaranteed a spot, and Kenya ranked 23rd, the Divas fell short.
However, Simiyu insists the team has quickly refocused on the World Cup pathway. “For Commonwealth, the Divas are out, but what we are targeting now is qualification for the World Cup next year,” she said.
The road to Sydney will run through Nairobi, with African qualifiers scheduled for September, giving Kenya the advantage of playing on home soil. Only two slots remain available for African teams, with powerhouses South Africa and Uganda already qualified.
“The qualification will take place in Kenya and we are really eager to compete,” Simiyu added.
“Gauging our performance, I believe we will be able to get good results and by the end of September, it will be a different story.
”She emphasised that the qualifiers will serve as both a crucial test and a stepping stone toward future goals, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“The qualifier will be a good platform to prepare us for the global event as well as the 2028 LA Olympic Games,” she noted.
Before the September showdown, the Divas will use the Africa Netball Club Championship, set for May in Nairobi, as a key preparation opportunity. The tournament will bring together top club sides from across the continent, offering valuable competitive exposure.
“The club championships will be in Kenya in May, and after that, the team will be selected for the World Cup qualifiers,” Simiyu explained.
The African qualifiers are expected to be a defining moment for the team, especially with the advantage of playing at home. Simiyu believes the squad is well-prepared and motivated to rise to the occasion.
“It will mean a lot to secure a qualification at home. The players have trained well and are ready.
”With the disappointment of missing out on the Commonwealth Games behind them, the Divas are now fully focused on rewriting their story—this time with their sights firmly set on the global stage in Sydney.
