Friday, July 28
•Uganda 79-37 Singapore
Uganda Women’s national netball team, the She Cranes, eased past Singapore in their opening game of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
The She Cranes, making their fourth World Cup appearance, beat Singapore 79-37 at the International Conventional Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.
Cheered on by a sizeable fans, the She Cranes, after a nervy start, led 22-09 after the first quarter and never relinquished their advantage until the final whistle.
Surprise starter at Goal-Shooting position Haniisha Muhammeed led the scoring with 31 goals.
And coach Fred Mugerwa who made a couple of rotations, brought on two more Goal-shooters as the game progressed – Mary Nuba Cholhok and league top scorer Christine Namulumba added 17 and 13 goals respectively.
Shadiah Nassanga who started in Goal Attacker, complemented Hanisha very well upfront, adding 11 goals and 14 assists.
Captain Irene Eyalu scored seven goals off the bench.
Margaret Baagala was named player of the match after an industrious performance that saw her start at Centre before she was switched to Wing Attack in the second half, totalling 27 assists!
Christine Nakitto (GD) and Stella Nanfuka (GK) were solid at the back, contributing a combined five interceptions throughout the game.
It was an overall powerful performance from the She Cranes who generally benefited from their lanky size to stop Singapore.
But coach Fred Mugerwa will feel he will get a tougher opponent in defending Champions New Zealand on Saturday morning, but for now, the team has to relish in their big opening win.
Amandeep Chahal and Kai Wei Toh scored 23 and 14 goals respectively for Singapore while Kim Lim contributed 10 assists.
Uganda, up by 24 goals at halftime, won the third and final quarters 20-11 and 17-8 in a game Singapore struggled on transition when the She Cranes upped the tempo.
After New Zealand’s game on Saturday, Uganda will wrap her group action on Sunday evening against Trinidad & Tobago.
How the She Cranes started – Hanisha Muhamed (GS), Shadiah Nassanga (GA), Norah Lunkuse (WA), Margaret Baagala (C), Ahaffie Nalwanja (WD), Christine Nakitto (GD), Stella Nanfuka (GK)
