By Daniel Nyeko
Uganda’s She Cranes kept their momentum at the 2025 Africa Netball Championship with a solid 59 to 38 win over Zimbabwe in their second game at the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe on Tuesday, December 9.
After Monday’s narrow one goal victory against 21st ranked Kenya, Head Coach Rashid Mubiru made adjustments to his starting seven. Faridah Kadondi came in for Lillian Ajio in defense, while Norah Lunkuse earned her first start ahead of Lillian Achola in mid-court.
Both teams started brightly and were level at 12 to 12 after the first quarter as Zimbabwe showed real fight. The She Cranes then pulled away in the second quarter and took a 26 to 20 lead into halftime.
The turning point came in the third quarter when Mubiru introduced Achola for Lunkuse in mid-court. The switch lifted Uganda’s tempo, helping the team score 19 goals compared to Zimbabwe’s seven, stretching the lead to 45 to 27 before the final quarter.
Gloria Ayaa, who had struggled against Kenya, delivered a standout performance with a game high four steals. Margaret Baagala, Shadia Nassanga and Shaffie Nalwanja also made key contributions, especially during the dominant third quarter.
The She Cranes closed out the match with a 14 to 11 final quarter, sealing a convincing 59 to 38 win that boosts their confidence ahead of their next fixture against Namibia’s Desert Jewels.
Although Uganda has already booked a place at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, this tournament remains vital for building team cohesion ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
2025 Africa Netball Cup results (women):
Uganda 59 to 38 Zimbabwe
Malawi 38 to 58 South Africa
2025 Africa Men’s Netball Cup results:
Botswana 39 to 40 Uganda
Malawi 42 to 44 Eswatini
Zimbabwe 38 to 42 South Africa
