The Uganda National Netball Team, the She Cranes, are gearing up for a high-stakes encounter against hosts Namibia in the 2024 Africa Netball Cup tonight at 7 PM at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund.
The game is crucial for Uganda’s hopes of progressing to the semifinals after a shock 50-49 defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening match.
The She Cranes, three-time Africa Netball Cup champions, entered the tournament with high expectations but now find themselves in a must-win situation.
A loss to Zimbabwe on Monday saw the team surrender a seven-goal advantage in the dying minutes, exposing critical gaps in their performance.
Head coach Nelson Bogere, however, remains optimistic.
“We have fixed what needed fixing and are ready for the challenge,” Bogere said. “Facing the hosts will not be easy, but the team is determined to deliver.”
Adding to the team’s confidence is the expected return of captain Irene Eyaru, who missed the Zimbabwe game due to a slight injury.
Eyaru’s presence is anticipated to boost the She Cranes’ attacking options, complementing the efforts of Shadia Nassanga and Rachael Nanyonga.
“We believe we can win all our remaining games,” Eyaru stated. “We’ve learned from our mistakes and are committed to making it to the finals.”
The She Cranes face an uphill battle as they contend with a charged atmosphere, with the Namibian fans expected to rally behind their home team.
Namibia, bolstered by home advantage, will aim to capitalise on Uganda’s vulnerabilities and secure a vital win.
Uganda’s final group match will be against Eswatini tomorrow at 1 PM, another must-win encounter if they are to secure a spot in Friday’s semifinals.
With only the top two teams from each of the two pools advancing, every point is crucial.
The 2024 Africa Netball Cup is featuring nine teams, including heavyweights South Africa and defending champions Zambia.
Uganda, returning to the competition after missing last year due to administrative challenges, is keen to add a fourth title to their cabinet.
Their last triumph was in 2018, and they were runners-up in 2021.
The tournament runs until Saturday, December 14, when the highly-anticipated final will be played.
