Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in Nairobi, Kenya
AFRICAN netball federations have been left in a quandary after World Netball (WN) remained silent over the raging controversy rocking the 2027 Netball World Cup Qualifiers in Nairobi.
The standoff follows Africa Netball’s decision to change the qualification format midway through the tournament in a move widely viewed as meant to protect certain teams and serve ulterior interests.
Unlike previous years, when top teams in each pool automatically qualified for the global showcase provided already qualified nations, often South Africa and Uganda made the semi-finals, this time the format was different.
Prior communication by Africa Netball indicated that the top two teams from the tournament, excluding Uganda and South Africa, would qualify for the global showpiece.
In this regard, Group Two top side Malawi were to face Group One’s second-placed Zimbabwe while Namibia played Kenya in winner-takes-all playoffs to decide Africa’s last two slots for Sydney 2027.
However, midway through the tournament on Thursday, Africa Netball confirmed there would no longer be playoffs.
Under the “new” system, qualification was determined at the end of the group stages, effectively altering the pathway to Sydney while the competition was already in progress.
The abrupt change infuriated member associations, who questioned the integrity and transparency of the continental body.
On Thursday night, aggrieved associations held an emergency meeting and jointly wrote to World Netball seeking intervention.
“We write to lodge a formal protest and to place on record our reservations regarding the conduct of fixtures at the ongoing Africa World Cup Qualifier hosted in Kenya,” reads part of the letter seen by Zimpapers Sport.
“We do so with respect for World Netball and for the sport, and in the interest of a fair, transparent and credible qualification process.
“The last competition fixtures were circulated to all participating countries on 14 September 2026, five days before the tournament. Every association received them, and none raised a dispute, either before the tournament or through the preliminary rounds.
“The fixtures were therefore accepted by all as the governing programme and unanimously agreed at the team managers’ meeting on September 18, 2026 at Stadion Hotel Hall.”
Concerns then arose after the third day of play when pool standings had taken shape and it became clear which teams were positioned to progress.
On September 23, managers agreed that teams placed second and third in each pool would cross over for qualifier matches in an arrangement posted on the Africa Netball wall at 10pm on that particular day before being pulled down hours later.
“Later a new fixture came, reversing the earlier fixtures, cancelling the Kenya-Namibia and Zimbabwe-Malawi matches, and reinstated Uganda and South Africa against Malawi and Namibia ,” said the associations.
“The effect was to prevent Kenya and Zimbabwe from contesting the qualifier matches to which they were entitled under the official fixture. Our main concerns surround the repeated changes once results were known.
“Within roughly 24 hours, the competition has had a fixture programme that was accepted for a month, a second fixture discussed, and a third fixture that overturned the second.”
The associations said the changes appeared to follow standings and results rather than any stated competition rule.
“The action of the Africa Netball leadership shows inconsistency with the principle of fair play. Participating teams prepared, selected and rested squads on the basis of the published fixtures,” added the Associations.
“Changing the programme after the preliminary rounds, in a manner that benefits some teams and excludes others, is inconsistent with sporting fairness and equal treatment, hence we need World Netball to intervene otherwise as a continent our game’s integrity is getting lost.”
The uncertainty has plunged the qualifiers into chaos, with teams unsure whether knockout results will count and whether the new qualification criteria will stand.
Several federations threatened to boycott the remaining fixtures, demanding WN nullify the mid-tournament changes and revert to the original format.
Hosts Kenya Netball Federation had resolved to shut office and suspend the tournament until WN intervened, but were allegedly instructed by authorities to continue while WN “rectified” the issues.
Yet by close of business on Friday, there was still no response and efforts to get comment from both Africa Netball and World Netball were unsuccessful by the time of going to print.
This morning, Zimbabwe battle hosts Kenya for fifth and sixth place in the Africa Netball Cup.
“Obviously as expected, morale is low because all this back and forth disturbed our preparation and focus,” said Zimbabwe coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki.
“It is a process to psych up the girls again and ensure by the time we step into the court we are ready.”
