Netball World Cup: Nassanga Voted Best Player as She Cranes Fall Short Against World’s No.4

Netball World Cup Results:

Jamaica 61-49 Uganda [She Cranes]

Goal attacker, Shadia Nassanga Ssegujja aka Mima voted the best player of the match on Monday evening despite Uganda losing against Jamaica.

The South American netball Giants beat Uganda 61-49 in their opening fixture of the second preliminary group of 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town South Africa.

Shadia came off the bench to do wonders, She became the first Ugandan in this edition to win the player the match accolade with She Cranes losing.

Nassanga replaced Norah Lunkuse with seven minutes into second quarter, she scored 15 goals out the 18 attempts she has on the day, she also went in double figures when it come to assists, she had 10 assists.

“The reason why coach puts me on the bench for the first two quarters was to study the game, just mere studying the game while on bench can change the game and that improved my movement and i thank that’s the reason as to why I  was voted the best player on the day, and I am happy that I won it.” Says Shadia Nassanga after winning her accolade.

Head coach Fred Mugerwa Tabale commented at the performance of Shadia Nassanga and why he started Irene Eyaru in goal attacking before switching him again in wing attacker.

“It was on plan to first study the game that’s why we started Irene Eyaru in Goal attacking for her to make these girls tired and then bring on Shadia to kill off the game, I told her [Shadia] what to do and she did it better and I think that’s the reason as to why she was voted the best player.” Says head Coach.

He also revealed that they were playing a better side and he only asked the girls to play their game though they lost some concentration in second quarter which widened the game.

In first quarter Uganda scored 12 goals but in second they only produced nine but introduction of Shadia Nassanga in second quarter, going in the goal attacking, switching Irene Eyaru in Wing attacker and replacing Haniisha Muhameed with Stella Nanfuka, the game for Uganda came back to normal and converted sixteen goals in third quarter and 12 in the last quarter.

Tuesday will be a resting day for Uganda, will return in action on Wednesday 12noon Ugandan time, playing against Wales before winding down the group with South Africa on Thursday.

Uganda starting list:

GS: Mary Nuba Cholhok

GA: Irene Eyaru

WA: Norah Lunkuse

C: Margret Baagala 

WD: Shaffie Nalwanja

GD: Christine Nakitto

GK: Haniisha Muhameed