Netball World Cup Climax: Uganda The Fifth, Avenges against South Africa
Netball World Cup result:
South Africa 47-49 Uganda [She Cranes]
The She Cranes had a sweet revenge against the hosts of 2023 Netball World Cup, South Africa in the 5th place classification match honored on Sunday morning at the CTICC Arena one.
Uganda beat South Africa 49-47 to finish 5th in the 2023 Netball World Cup and coming out us the Africa’s best in the tournament climaxed on Sunday, 06th August 2023.
It has a perfect revenge for Uganda against the South Africans who beat them in the preliminary group stage two 52-50.
Not like in their previous fixture against the side, this time round, Uganda started on a high not never gave the hosts chance to lead any quarter. Uganda won the first quarter 12-11 before it went 23 up at the halftime break.
“We realized mistakes made in our previous game, this time we came knowing that our opponents are the hosts, they have the crowd, the umpires won’t be on our side, so we opted to start on the higher note and our target was not to give them any chance to get a lead over us, to which we have achieved.” Said Shaffie Nalwanja.
Through out the tournament, second quarter has been a disturbing quarter for She Cranes, though they scored a goal less compared to the first quarter, 11, they maintained the ball and never allowed South Africa to score more than 12 and the game went in halftime at 23-23 scoreline.
Always third quarter has been the best for Uganda and it’s the quarter they came 14 goals down to level the previous game and indeed they did better in it. And it’s in the quarter where Uganda killed the game, the two goal advantage they went with in last quarter, it was maintained, third quarter ended 16-14, last quarter both sides scored ten each and the game finally went down at 47-49 score, Fulltime.
“I feel happy for this, like I said before, the girls who were underated and were called Tukutukus made it, I told them while going in the game that let the host not lead us by more than three goals, but they told me Coach, we’re not giving them chance even to lead us, we are going to to be tough from the first whistle and indeed it’s what they did. They always wanted to disprove what they called them back at Home.” Says happy tactician, Fred Mugerwa Tabale Ssalongo.
The win gave Uganda a better edge over South Africa, the former beat the latter in Commonwealth 2022 and did the same even in World Cup.
Uganda lost to no side that is below her ranking but managed to beat, Malawi (7th), South Africa (5th), meaning the win collected will automatically change her ranking from 8th to another better position in the the next world ranking.
This is the finest finish for Uganda since first participation in 1979, [13th in 1979, 8th in 2015, 7th in 2019 and now 5th]
Australia clinched the 12th World Cup title, beat England Roses 61-45, Jamaica finished 3rd and the immediate former champions, New Zealand finished 4th.
She Cranes starting list:
GS: Mary Nuba Cholhok
GA: Shadia Nassanga
WA: Irene Eyaru ©
C: Margret Baagala
WD: Shaffie Nalwanja
GD: Falidah Kadondi
GK: Haniisha Muhameed
Subs:
Christine Nakitto, Stella Nanfuka, Lillian Achola, Sarah Nakiyunga (later replaced Shadia Nassanga), Viola Asingo.
Not on starting squad:
Annet Najjuka, Norah Lunkuse, Christine Namulumba.