East Africa Netball Club Championship: KCCA, Prisons Book a Meeting on Semis as Group Stage Games Climax
Day Five Results:
JKU 29-81 KCCA NC
Prisons 44-49 NIC
JKU [Men] 30-55 Kampala University
UPDF 38-47 Tamiseni
JKT Mbweni 36-42 Uhamiaji
The 2017 champions, Prisons Netball Club painfully lost against National Insurance Corporation Netball Club in their last group A fixture to book a semi final meeting against KCCA NC.
It has been an epic encounter on Thursday afternoon at Kamwokya Community Sports Centre when the two giants in Uganda’s netball executed the best show on the day and the game ended, 44-49 in favor of the defending champions National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
The Luzira based side first took the first quarter, winning it by one [12-11] but NIC bounced back stronger to steal the lead in second quarter, third and fourth respectively.
Though they lost by four against tough side, Imelda Nyongesa, Prisons’ head coach believes that they still have a chance of winning this title if her players maintain the performance they displayed today.
“One of the umpires wasn’t fair enough, he didn’t see some of the fouls, NIC’s goal shooter was commiting, that costed us, but according to the game my girls played today, I believe we have a chance to win this title if at all they give me the same performance. “
No different from her coach, the second goal scorer in this tournament now with 149 goals in four games, Christine Namulumba also has confidence that they can take this trophy despite a loss today.
“We played well, had few mistakes that costed us. But the chance is still there that we can win, we came for a title and our bosses are there waiting for the trophy.” Confidently Namulumba said.
National Insurance Corporation left the group with unbeaten record, her midfielder, Sarah Nakiyunga, has no doubt with the team work they have as NIC, the trophy is theirs.
“We have trained enough, as NIC, we work as a team, we came knowing that Prison is a hard team so we came prepared, the team work we have will definitely guide us to become champions again.” Said said.
Earlier on the day, KCCA Netball Club beat JKU from Tanzania 81-29 to confirm their top position in group B.
The climax of the group stages confirmed the four teams on final.
The semifinals are on tomorrow.
Semi final fixtures:
NIC Netball Club vs Tamiseni at 1:30PM
Prisons vs KCCA Netball Club at 3PM
Final is on Saturday at the same venue.