Uganda put up a spirited fight against England in their final round-robin match at the Netball Nations Cup but fell short in the closing minutes, losing 59-48.
The She Cranes kept the game level for three quarters before England surged ahead in the final period to book a place in the tournament final against South Africa.
The match remained tight for most of the contest, with Uganda refusing to let England build a significant lead.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the score was deadlocked at 42-42, keeping Uganda’s hopes of an upset alive.
However, England capitalized on a series of unforced errors, going on a dominant seven-goal run to take control at 50-43. Uganda struggled to recover, conceding nine more goals as England secured the win.
Despite the loss, Uganda showcased resilience and improved performances compared to their earlier heavy defeat to South Africa (75-40) and the setback against Malawi (59-45).
Defensive standout Halimat Adio, who was named Player of the Match for England, acknowledged Uganda’s persistence but emphasized England’s ability to close out the game when it mattered most.
“We had to stay patient and trust our game plan,” Adio said. “Uganda kept coming back, but once we cut out the errors, we found our rhythm and took control.”
Uganda will now face Malawi in the third-place playoff on Sunday, hoping to finish the tournament on a high note.
The two sides met earlier in the competition, with Malawi winning 59-45. Meanwhile, England will take on South Africa in the final, seeking revenge for their 61-59 loss in the group stage.
