Africa Netball Championship: She Cranes Too Weak for the Final, South Africa Spar Proteas Easily Defend the Title
By Kayiira Jackson
South Africa’s Spar Proteas delivered a ruthless performance to outclass Uganda’s She Cranes 56–34 and successfully defend the Africa Netball Championship title on Sunday, reaffirming their dominance on the continent.
From the opening whistle, the reigning champions set the tone with a commanding first quarter, racing to a 15–7 lead. Uganda struggled to settle, registering their lowest first-quarter score of the tournament as South Africa’s high-intensity defence disrupted ball movement and scoring rhythm.
The Proteas’ defensive unit was particularly effective in neutralising Uganda’s key shooter, Shadia Nassanga. Denied space and time in the shooting circle, Nassanga failed to convert several chances and was substituted in the seventh minute of the second quarter for Sera Zam, who also found it difficult to make an impact. Achola Lillian was later withdrawn and replaced by Norah Lunkuse as the She Cranes searched for answers.
Despite the changes, South Africa maintained control and extended their advantage to 11 goals by halftime, leading 27–16. Uganda’s challenges were compounded by visible fatigue, with slow ball circulation and hesitant decision-making allowing the Proteas to capitalise on turnovers.
The gap widened further in the third quarter as South Africa shifted up another gear, stretching the lead to 17 goals and closing the period at 43–26. Uganda, playing their worst match of the tournament, struggled to match the pace and physicality of their opponents.
South Africa closed out the contest in clinical fashion, sealing a 22-goal victory to retain the title they won last year in Namibia. The result marked another decisive win over the She Cranes, following the Proteas’ 65–50 triumph in the 2024 final.
As the championship concluded, South Africa walked away with the gold medal and trophy, while Uganda settled for silver—an impressive campaign overall, but one that ended in disappointment against a superior and composed Proteas side.