The She Cranes, Uganda’s national netball team, are intensifying their preparations for the upcoming 2025 Vitality Netball Nations Cup, set to take place from February 1-9 in the United Kingdom.
Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Rashid Mubiru, who has taken over from James Nelson Bogere, the team is aiming to make a strong showing on the global stage.
The tournament will see Uganda face stiff competition from England, South Africa, and Malawi.
With only weeks to go before the competition, the She Cranes are currently undergoing rigorous training sessions at the NCS Arena in Lugogo, with 15 players from the initial 20-player training squad currently vying for a place in the final team.
The intense competition within the squad has created a palpable sense of pressure amongst the players.
“Yes, the pressure is there because you never know who will make it,” admitted shooter Rachael Nanyonga. “It’s all about your training and standing out. We just need to work hard until the final list is announced.”
Despite the pressure, midcourt player Fildauce Namuleme remains optimistic about the selection process.
“I’m not scared. Whether I make it or not, what matters is that the best team is chosen to bring us victory,” she stated.
Key players such as Sylvia Nanyonga, Stella Oyella, and Margaret Baagala are among those vying for selection in the final squad.
Coach Mubiru faces the challenging task of selecting a team that can compete at the highest level against the strong opposition they will encounter in the UK.
She Cranes Provisional Squad
- Shooters: Mary Nuba Cholhok (Queensland Firebirds), Rachael Nanyonga (NIC), Stella Oyella (UK).
- Midcourt: Fildauce Namuleme (NIC), Margaret Baagala (NIC).
- Defenders: Sylvia Nanyonga (Prisons), Hanisha Muhameed (KCCA).
