Lilongwe – Malawi– The Uganda National Netball Team, the She Cranes, have secured their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Netball Cup after clinching a decisive 47-39 victory over Namibia in their final Group B fixture.
The victory earned inside the magnificent Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex, on Matchday 4, sets the stage for a thrilling semi-final encounter where the She Cranes will play regional rivals Malawi for a spot in the final.
Dominance and Grit Against Namibia
The She Cranes established their dominance early, racing to a commanding 15-5 lead in the first quarter. By half-time, they had stretched their advantage, walking off court as comfortable leaders with a 28-13 scoreline.
While Namibia rallied in the second half, the She Cranes maintained control, concluding the third quarter 37-28 before sealing the win 47-39.
Shadia: The Goal-Getter with a Champion’s Mindset
Goal attacker Shadia Nassanga was the undisputed star of the match, earning the Player of the Match award for her outstanding performance and clinical shooting accuracy.
Reflecting on her powerful contribution, Shadia gave a clear assessment of the team’s ambition. “My secret is simple: maximizing goal shots. Netball is about clinical execution, and our team mission is always to return to the court stronger than the quarter before. Our focus now shifts entirely to Malawi. We must elevate our game again because the ultimate goal remains the same—reaching the final and lifting the championship trophy.”
She Cranes’ head coach Rashid Mubiru calls for Refinement
While celebrating the team’s progression, Head Coach Rashid Mubiru emphasized the need for immediate improvement ahead of the crucial knockout game. “We have achieved our immediate goal, but the semi-final against Malawi demands perfection. The players have been instructed to analyze and correct every mistake from this performance. We need maximum focus and intensity; there is no room for error now.”
In other Matchday 4 results, continental giants South Africa defeated Botswana 67-31, while Botswana later recovered to beat Tanzania 55-35.
