Uganda’s She Cranes began their African Netball Cup campaign with a dramatic 46–45 victory over Kenya in a high-intensity contest played at the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Uganda controlled the game through tight margins, winning all quarters—14–7 in the first, 23–18 at halftime, and 35–33 heading into the final stretch. Though the momentum swung both ways, the She Cranes kept their composure to secure a crucial one-goal win in their opening fixture.
The triumph was guided by the efforts of Shadia Nassanga, Racheal Nanyonga, Magret Shaddy, Lilian Achola, Shafy Nalwanja, and Gloria Aya, who displayed resilience and tactical discipline throughout the match.
Despite Kenya’s loss, standout shooter Ireen Anyango delivered a masterclass performance that earned her the Player of the Match award.
Uganda sits in Pool 2 alongside Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Kenya. In the other Pool 2 game, Zimbabwe impressed with a commanding 48–36 win over Namibia.
In Pool 1, which features hosts Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania, and South Africa, the South Africans made an emphatic statement, crushing Tanzania 104–25 in one of the most lopsided results of the opening round.
Men’s Category: South Africa Dominant on Day One
The men’s competition also tipped off with strong performances. South Africa registered a confident 59–38 victory over Botswana, marking a powerful start to their campaign.
The men’s championship features eight teams divided into two pools:
Pool 1: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Uganda
Pool 2: Eswatini, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi
Both competitions promise intense battles as teams fight for continental bragging rights in Lilongwe.
