The Uganda Women’s National Netball Team, the She Cranes, suffered a heartbreaking 50-49 defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening game of the 2024 Africa Netball Cup at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Despite starting strong, the She Cranes were unable to maintain their momentum in the closing moments of the match, allowing Zimbabwe’s Gems to stage a dramatic comeback.
Uganda began the game with determination, claiming a narrow 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, driven by debutant Gloria Aya’s impressive performance.
However, Zimbabwe gained the upper hand in the second quarter, taking a 25-24 lead into halftime.
The She Cranes regrouped in the third quarter, with defensive adjustments and sharp attacking play helping them establish a commanding 39-33 advantage.
But Zimbabwe’s resilience shone in the final quarter as they clawed back, scoring six consecutive goals in the final minutes to seal the one-goal victory.
Speaking after the game, She Cranes head coach Nelson Bogere highlighted the team’s late-game struggles.
“We had a strong third quarter, but critical errors and some forced changes in the final moments cost us the game. We will focus on addressing these issues moving forward.”
The loss places Uganda in a challenging position in Pool B.
The She Cranes will next face tournament hosts Namibia on Wednesday, followed by their final group game against Eswatini on Thursday.
With only the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals, Uganda must secure victories in their remaining matches to keep their title hopes alive.
The 2024 Africa Netball Cup, running from December 9 to 14, features nine teams, including heavyweights South Africa and defending champions Zambia.
Uganda, three-time Africa Netball Cup winners, is returning to the competition after missing last year due to administrative challenges.
