National netball team coach Peninah Nyakundi is facing a selection headache as they prepare for the 2024 Mirxes Nations Cup set for September 1-7 at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
With five days remaining before the final team is named, It is a race against time as coach Nyakundi seek to cut the squad from 22 to 12 by this Sunday. "We have selected a strong provisional squad of young and experienced players.
"We are looking at various qualities in players and most of the under-21 national team players are competing for places in the senior team alongside those returning after a sabbatical."
She emphasised it's now up to the players to prove their worth within a week. Nyakundi will be assisted on the technical bench by the Kenya Prisons veteran coach Evelyn Cherono, coach Mugisha Ali and team manager Arne Bett.
The upcoming tourney is crucial for Kenya as it will not only improve the team’s continental rankings but also serve as a stepping stone towards qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Among the players vying for a spot on the final roster are two national league debutants— centre Miriam Wamani (Equity Bank) and junior national team captain and goal shooter Delilah Akinyi. They are eager to leap from the under-21 squad to the senior team.
Others to watch are Hellen Sinoya (Kenyatta National Hospital), along with teammates Winnie Akinyi (WD) and Nancy Opiyo (GS), who are keen to make the final 12.
The rest of the squad will have Abigael Seme (WD), Jackline Auro (GD), Elsa Ndong (C) Dorine Akinyi (GA), Vidah Otieno (C) Winfred Oyugi (C) Debra Khakula (C), Nipher Adika (GS) and Lilian Mboga (GD)—all from Ulinzi.
Others are Prisons Kenya's Lydia Nyapera (GA), team captain Parin Simiyu (GD), Pauline Ramadhan (WD), Teresa Othuon (GD), Mary Atieno (C) and Irene Anyango (C) Lucy Akumu (GK) and Nancy Auro (GA).
Kenya Netball Federation (KNF) have yet to announce the team’s departure date, but preparations are in full swing. Apart from Kenya, the other teams vying for the Mirxes Nations Cup are Canada, Ireland, UAE and Singapore.
