Commonwealth Games 2022: She Cranes Keeps it Tight Against World Champions
The Uganda National Netball team, the She Cranes continued to win the hearts of Ugandans following a brilliant display against the world Champions in New Zealand despite a 53-40 loss in the 2022 Commonwealth games opening fixture.
She Cranes, the side with youthful squad played an admirable performance on Saturday night at NEC Arena against the 2019 World Cup winners.
Captain Peace Proscovia struggled in the opening exchanges before she paved way for Mary Nuba Cholhok at halftime.
And the Loughborough Lightning scored 19 goals in the second half as Uganda lost by a respectable score.
Goal Attacker Irene Eyaru scored 16 goals for Fred Mugerwa’s coached side.
The first quarter ended 14-11 in favor of silver ferns before extending the lead to 31-18 at half time. With the introduction of Mary Nuba Cholhok for the last two quarters, Uganda managed to win the third quarter 11-08 and the crowd in NEC Arena kept on cheering the energetic and promising She Cranes.
At last stanza, New Zealand stretched the lead from ten goals to 13 but left the Ugandans heads high as they are getting back into action on Sunday evening playing against Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite a lost, currently Uganda sits third on the log with a 13 negative goal difference, a better position compared to Malawi, Trinidad and Tobago, and Northern Ireland who also lost their opening fixtures.
She Cranes needs to win at least three games of their remaining four fixtures in group B that has New Zealand, England, the defending champions, Trinidad and Tobago, Malawi and Northern Ireland.
With brilliant performances on the day, Jesca Achan in centre, Stella Oyella, Shaffie Nalwanja, Joan Nampungu and Mary Nuba Cholhok deserves a thumbs up.
She Cranes starting lineup:
GK – Shafie Nalwanja
GD – Joan Nampuungu
WD – Sandra Nambirige
C – Jesca Achan
WA – Stella Oyella
GA – Irene Eyalu
GS – Peace Procsovia
Reserves:
Mary Nuba, Margret Baagala, Norah Lunkuse, Hanisha Muhammed, Nassanga Shadia.