By Daniel Nyeko
Uganda’s national men’s netball team, The Rock, opened their 2025 Africa Netball Championship campaign with a nail-biting 40-39 win over Botswana at the Griffins Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe on Tuesday, December 9.
Uganda The Rock are in Group A of the 2025 Africa Netball Cup alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
The Rock got off to a flying start, leading Botswana 22-19 at halftime with precise mid-court movements. However, the Botswana defence quickly adapted, forcing errors and narrowing the goal-scoring margin, as Uganda led the third quarter 33-29. The final quarter proved decisive, with both teams neck and neck.
The Rock demonstrated composure and discipline under Head Coach Jessy Asiimwe, with a crucial mid-court turnover creating the opportunity for the winning goal in the dying minutes of the game.
The victory boosts Uganda The Rock’s morale ahead of their upcoming fixtures against continental powerhouses South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The 2025 Africa Netball Cup has been etched into the history books, marking the first time that both women’s and men’s teams are competing side by side for the continent’s biggest netball prize.
The tournament features eight nations: Malawi (hosts), South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana, and Eswatini. This event signals growth and increased recognition, with the ambition for men’s netball to gain inclusion in the Olympics by 2032 in Brisbane, Australia.
The Rock squad for the 2025 Africa Netball Cup:
- Gonzaga Kigozi (captain)
- Mishar Ssebuliba
- Richard Eppa
- Denis Mukisa
- Joseph Kasule
- Plus Ssekandi
- Bosco Yiga
- Hilbert Oywark
- Dissan Wasswa
- Andrew Wasswa
- Mustafa Kato
- John Kizito
Technical team:
- Head Coach: Jessy Asiimwe
- Team Manager: Dr. Sarah Nkonge Muwonge
Next fixtures:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Uganda The Rock vs South Africa
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Uganda The Rock vs Zimbabwe
