Uganda's Nile Queens are the Women's IHF Trophy Africa Zone V champions after a thrilling 29-28 victory over rivals Kenya in the final on Saturday. The win avenges their group-stage defeat to Kenya and secures Uganda's place at the Africa Women's Senior Handball Championship in Tunisia.
Dramatic Final
In a tense and closely contested match at the Filbert Bayi Multi-Sports Centre in Kibaha, Tanzania, Joyce Namutosi scored the decisive goal with just 74 seconds left on the clock to seal the win for Uganda. The Nile Queens had earlier lost to Kenya 30-27 in the group stage but showed resilience to bounce back in the final.
The match was a see-saw battle, with both teams trading goals throughout. Kenya, determined to repeat their group-stage success, pushed hard, but Uganda's defense held firm in the closing minutes. Namutosi's late strike sparked wild celebrations among the Ugandan players and fans.
Road to Victory
Uganda's path to the title was not easy. After the group-stage loss, they regrouped and worked on their weaknesses. Coach [Name] emphasized teamwork and discipline, which paid off in the knockout stages. The Nile Queens defeated [Other Team] in the semi-final to set up the rematch with Kenya.
The five-day tournament, held from November 4 to 8, 2026, featured top teams from the Zone V region. Uganda's triumph is a significant achievement for women's handball in the country and a testament to the growing competitiveness of the sport in Africa.
What's Next
With the Zone V title in the bag, the Nile Queens will now turn their attention to the Africa Women's Senior Handball Championship in Tunisia, where they will face the continent's best teams. The experience gained from this tournament will be crucial as they prepare for the higher level of competition.
Meanwhile, Kenya will be left to rue their missed opportunity, but they can take pride in their performance throughout the tournament. The rivalry between Uganda and Kenya continues to elevate the sport in the region.
As the Nile Queens celebrate their hard-fought victory, they will be hoping to carry this momentum into the continental championship and make their mark on the African stage.
