Makau confident S&C training will propel Divas to World Cup

National women’s netball team, Divas', currently in non-residential training at the City Stadium netball court are keen to bag a maiden ticket to the 2023 World Cup. 

The team is scheduled to play in the African qualifiers set for 21 to 29 August in Pretoria, South Africa ahead of the Netball World Cup that will be played between July 28 to August 6, 2023 in Cape Town.

For the first time in their preparations, the team has enjoyed the services of strength and conditioning training from Kenya rugby International Brian Nyikuli. 

Netball: Divas' preparations intensify ahead of World Cup qualifiers

The high-achieving rugby player who called time on his career on the pitch in December last year admits that he has seen tremendous improvement since he started working with Divas, sentiments backed by coach Joseph Makau. 

"The strength and fitness coach has really helped the players unleash their potential and we are in a much-better place compared to the last two international competitions we have had.

The players can endure more challenges and they can only get better. That is why I am confident we will qualify for the global championship," offered Makau. 

The tactician, while acknowledging that the team has improved, was quick to add that their fitness was not yet where he want it to be and called on the players to push themselves to be at their best before heading to Pretoria. 

"All the teams we face in South Africa will be tough and we need them to be at their best," he argued. "In addition to fitness, we are still working on team chemistry as we have players from different clubs and they are yet to gel." 

With 23 player in the provisional squad, the team is set to be whittled down to 18 ahead of residential camp. Three more will be dropped before the trip to South Africa. 

Kenya will fight for the three remaining slots to represent the continent at the global championship. Three teams have already qualified, including the hosts.