Nigeria’s first-ever national netball team, the Green Hawks, may have lost 61-40 to hosts Kenya, but their historic debut at the Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi has drawn praise and encouragement from across the continental netball community.
The Green Hawks faced Kenya on Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in their opening Pool 2 match of the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Africa Qualifier. World Netball confirms Nigeria as one of the 10 countries competing in the September 19–26 tournament.
For a Nigerian side only recently assembled for international competition, the encounter represented a major milestone. According to information from the Nigerian delegation, the appearance also made Nigeria the first West African country to compete at the Africa Netball Cup.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria’s performance attracted commendation from officials and representatives around the competition, including World Netball and Africa Netball officials, who encouraged the newcomers to build on their opening display as the tournament progresses.
In another significant moment after the final whistle, the President of Africa Netball congratulated the Green Hawks and joined the Nigerian delegation for photographs, adding to the sense of recognition surrounding the country’s first appearance.
Nigeria’s sporting authorities also celebrated the milestone.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, whose position is confirmed by Federal Government and contemporary sports reports, sent a personal message of encouragement to Nigeria Netball Federation President Dr. Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko after the game.
“We are all proud of you and the team” Olopade told Aluko.
The message carries added significance given the role of the National Sports Commission in supporting the emergence of Nigeria’s national netball programme. Before the tournament, Aluko had publicly commended the Commission for providing an enabling environment for the revival and development of the sport.
There will, however, be little time for Nigeria to celebrate its historic first appearance.
The Green Hawks return to the court on Sunday, September 20, against Uganda at 6pm East Africa Time (4pm Nigerian time). They then face Malawi on Monday before completing their Pool 2 programme against Zambia on Tuesday.
The Kenya result therefore represents a beginning rather than a conclusion.
Nigeria has played its first game. Now the challenge for the Green Hawks is to learn, improve and grow with every match on the African stage.
