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The She Cranes will be fighting for positions fifth and sixth at the 2023 Netball World Cup come Sunday after their resilience and fighting spirit guided them past Malawi on Friday evening.
Uganda won 57-46 in an encounter that had all the ingredients of an African derby played at the Cape Town Imternatinal Convention Centre.
Centre and assistant captain Margret Baagala recovered in time for this one after missing the crucial 52-50 loss to South Africa on Thursday.
She was not the only change from the team that started against South Africa; Irene Eyaru played at wing attacker as goal attacker Shadia Nassanga partnered with goal shooter Mary Nuba upfront.
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12:42 - 04.08.2023
NETBALL 2023 Netball World Cup: She Cranes cry officiating foul play in loss to South Africa
‘The referee was poor’ is a song Ugandan athletes and officials love singing, and it was on the playlist on Wednesday after the She Cranes lost 52-50 to South Africa in their last Group E game at the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa.
They combined for 14 goals as the first quarter ended 14-14 with Nuba scoring five while Nassanga added nine with another four asissts. Baagala had seven assists adding to Eyaru’s three
Joyce Mvula and Mwai Kumwenda had eight goals for Malawi, with centre Takondwa Lwazi picking up seven asissts.
Malawi lost wing attacker Jane Chimaliro at the start of the second quarter after she landed poorly and twisted her left ankle.
Uganda did not help themselves as they constantly lost the centre pass giving an advantage to Malawi.
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09:48 - 04.08.2023
NETBALL Netball World Cup 2023: The best photos from She Cranes’ 52-50 loss to South Africa
Uganda and South Africa played out a 52-50 Netball World Cup thriller in Cape Town as the hosts were able to get the win despite the fight from the She Cranes till the very end. Here are some of the best moments captured from the game
Five minutes to half time, Uganda also lost goal defender Christine Nakitto to injury as Falidah Kadondi took her place.
Uganda took a slim 28-25 lead to the break, Nassanga still led with 18 goals for Uganda, Nuba had 10, and Baagala added 13 asissts.
Uganda led 43-35 at the end of the third quarter with Nassanga’s 29 goals and 12 assists making the difference. Nuba added 14 goals and Baagala 19 assists.
As Uganda sealed the game, Nassanga’s numbers were very loud, she scored 38 goals and added 14 asissts, Baagala returned 28 asissts.
The former was also winning her third player of the match award.
The result means that the worst Uganda can finish at the World Cup is sixth which is better that their seventh position four years ago in England.
They also finished eighth at the 2019 edition in Australia and 13th at their 1979 debut in Trinidad and Tobago.
How Uganda started
GS: Mary Nuba | GA: Shadia Nassanga | WA: Irene Eyaru | C: Margret Baagala | WD | Shaffie Nalwanja | GD: Christine Nakitto | GK: Haniisha Muhameed
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