
NETBALL:The She cranes shake off first loss with Namibia win.
- The She Cranes delivered an outstanding performance, dominating Namibia with a blend of precision, strategy, and sheer netball brilliance. From the opening whistle, Uganda set the tone with flawless center pass conversions and seamless transitions through the midcourt, applying relentless pressure on the hosts.
Defensively, the She Cranes were impenetrable. The duo of Faridah Kadondi at goal defense and Hanisha Muhammad at goalkeeper formed a formidable wall, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on rebounds and intercepts. Their efforts disrupted Namibia’s rhythm, giving Uganda numerous scoring opportunities.
In the attacking third, Irene Eyaru shone brightly at goal attack, delivering a flawless shooting display with an impressive 22 goals from 22 attempts. The sharp feeds into the shooting circle and well-timed drives by wing attack Joyce Nakibule and center Margaret Bagala ensured a steady supply of scoring opportunities. Throughout the match, Uganda maintained a high shooting accuracy, complemented by disciplined tactical execution.
The She Cranes steadily increased their lead at each break: 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, 32-23 by halftime, and 44-33 heading into the final quarter. Namibia’s attempts to close the gap were thwarted by Uganda’s tight marking, effective defensive switches, and rapid ball movement. The She Cranes’ composure under pressure and dynamic gameplay secured a commanding 55-43 victory.
Looking ahead, the She Cranes’ impressive form positions them as strong contenders in their upcoming clash against Eswatini on Thursday. A victory there would likely secure their place in the semifinals on Friday.
She Cranes Starting Lineup
Goal Shooter (GS): Mary Nuba
Goal Attack (GA): Irene Eyaru
Center (C): Margaret Bagala
Wing Attack (WA): Joyce Nakibule
Wing Defense (WD): Gloria Aya
Goal Defense (GD): Faridah Kadondi
Goal Keeper (GK): Hanisha Muhammad
Substitutes
Christine Nakitto
Christine Namulumba
Sandra Nambirige
Racheal Nanyonga
Shadia Nassanga