LILONGWE, MALAWI – The Uganda Netball National Team, the She Cranes, delivered a masterclass performance on Saturday afternoon, securing their spot in the Africa Netball Cup final after convincingly defeating tournament hosts Malawi 46-33 in a high-stakes semi-final clash.
From the first whistle, the She Cranes displayed clinical precision and relentless defensive pressure, silencing the home crowd and establishing an early, commanding lead that the Malawi Queens could never truly recover from.
Quarter-by-Quarter Dominance
Uganda’s victory was a testament to their focused execution, gradually extending their advantage in every quarter:
1st Quarter: Uganda 12-7 Malawi (+5)
Half Time: Uganda 24-15 Malawi (+9)
3rd Quarter: Uganda 35-22 Malawi (+13)
Full Time: Uganda 46-33 (+13)
Leading by five goals after the first quarter, the She Cranes’ midcourt engine worked tirelessly to provide quick feeds to the shooters, while the defense stood firm, forcing crucial turnovers.
By halftime, a decisive nine-goal lead had been established, which only grew in the third quarter as the team played with confidence and composure under pressure.
The 13-goal margin at the final whistle perfectly reflects Uganda’s total dominance of the fixture.
The Ultimate Showdown Awaits: Uganda vs. South Africa
Having successfully navigated the semi-final hurdle, the She Cranes now face the ultimate test: a final showdown against continental powerhouse South Africa on Sunday.
The South African side, known as the Spar Proteas, asserted their championship credentials with an incredibly dominant 84-32 victory against Zimbabwe in the other semi-final, winning by a devastating margin of over 50 points.
The clash between the high-flying She Cranes and the ever-dominant Spar Proteas promises to be a thrilling, tactical battle for the prestigious Africa Netball Cup title.
