By Tapiwa Chawagarira
Zimbabwean coach Tapiwa Chirenda has once again demonstrated his coaching credentials by guiding Kenya to the Netball World Cup qualification play-offs with a crucial 54-50 victory over Zambia at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi today.
The result came in a high-pressure final Pool Two encounter, with Kenya needing a victory to keep its hopes of securing a place at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia alive.
Chirenda, the former Zimbabwe Gems assistant coach, took charge of the Kenya Divas shortly before the Africa Netball Cup and has since steered the hosts through a demanding qualification campaign on home soil.
The Zimbabwean tactician inherited a team facing a difficult assignment, with Kenya drawn alongside Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Nigeria in Pool Two. South Africa and Uganda had already secured their places at the 2027 World Cup through their world rankings, leaving the remaining African nations to compete for the available qualification spots.
Kenya opened the campaign impressively, beating Nigeria 61-40 before suffering a 55-47 defeat to Malawi. The Divas then lost 62-42 to Uganda on Tuesday, making today’s clash with Zambia a decisive encounter.
Chirenda’s charges responded when it mattered most, securing a 54-50 victory over Zambia to book their place in the play-offs.
The victory also marked Kenya’s first win against Zambia since 2022, adding further significance to a result that could prove pivotal in the country’s bid to return to the global stage.
The coach’s influence has been evident since his arrival, as Chirenda has introduced tactical changes aimed at making the Kenyan game faster and more versatile.
Ahead of the tournament, Chirenda said he had been encouraged by the players’ response to his training program after being in charge for almost a month. He also revealed that the technical team had worked extensively on Kenya’s preparations and transition play.
His early impact was evident in Kenya’s opening victory over Nigeria, when the Divas dominated the first half and ultimately secured a 61-40 win. Reports from the tournament credited improved transition play as one of the areas where Chirenda had made changes.
The Zimbabwean coach’s assignment in Kenya represents another international chapter in his coaching career, following his previous involvement with the Gems setup and his work in Zimbabwean domestic netball.
The 2026 Africa Netball Cup doubles as the African qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup, with 10 nations competing in Nairobi from September 19 to 26. According to World Netball, the top two eligible teams from the competition will be invited to the global tournament, with South Africa and Uganda already qualified through their world rankings.
For Chirenda and the Kenya Divas, today’s victory keeps the dream of a World Cup appearance firmly alive and puts the Zimbabwean coach within reach of another notable achievement on the continental stage.
