Netball World Cup: South Africa Rob Uganda to Manufacture ‘Fake Happiness’ – Fans Not Happy with Officiating
Netball World Cup Result:
South Africa 52-50 Uganda [She Cranes]
Next on Friday:
Uganda vs Malawi
The Uganda National netball team, the She Cranes narrowly lost it to South Africa (the hosts of netball World Cup 2023) in a very contested encounter honored on Thursday evening at Cape Town International Convention Center One.
In the two point game, Uganda lost it 52-50 at the end of the game which gave South Fans happiness.
A slow start for Uganda, the Mugerwa charges lost the first quarter by 4 goals and displayed a poor performance in the second quarter, South Africa had to go in a comfortable lead of 14 goals, it went 33-19 at the halftime break.
In the last two quarters, Uganda had to come 14 goals down to level the game but slightly lost the point in the last minute of the game.
Uganda started the game without their best tournament player Margret Baagala who was sidelined due to Malaria illness, she was replaced by Lillian Achola who also performed to her best according to her teammates.
However, Ugandans who were in stands and the well wishers of She Cranes left the Arena when not happy with the Officiating of the match officials, claiming that the umpires were more lenient to South Africa and manufactured fouls against Uganda.
“Our girls performed well, they played well, great performance, but the umpires show to much side, too much favoritism, yes we know that South Africa is at home but the Officiating wasn’t good at all.” Says one of the fans.
“Yes we know South Africa is a good team, they are well facilitated, but our girls showed that they have talent, they have the zeal and put up their best, so we also ask our government, private companies to come and add in more money.” Says Peter Yawe, a Ugandan residing in Western Cape Town.
“I am happy with the performance of our girls, we played not better in the first two quarters, even the umpires were not good, but the girls came up and put up a spirited fight and we’re so happy for them.” Says UNF former president Ms. Lydia Bukenya who was also in stands.
“The umpires only wanted to create happiness to the South Africans because they are the host but the world know that Uganda was a better side.” A bitter Ugandan told this website after the game.
Besides the fans’ reaction, Mary Nuba Cholhok statically was on a 100% shooting accuracy, she scored 29 out of the 29 chances got, the match’s best player, Shadia Nassanga scooped 21 out of the 23 chances got and she made 13 assists.
Lillian Achola made 19 assists the best for Uganda and and Irene Eyaru who switched to WA in the third quarter made 13 assists, Christine Nakitto, Haniisha Muhameed and Shaffie Nalwanja were among the best on the day.
The defeat means that Uganda finish fourth in the group, and alongside third placed South Africa, will fight for 5-8th positions in classification games.
The She Cranes finished 4th in the Group G of six teams, now will face the third placed team in Group F and Uganda will play Malawi on Friday while South Africa will meet Tonga.
The semifinals of the tournament are already determined; England meet defending Champions New Zealand while Jamaica will face off with Australia for a place in the final.
She Cranes starting list:
GS: Mary Nuba Cholhok
GA: Irene Eyaru
WA: Sarah Nakiyunga [Shadia Nassanga]sub
C: Lillian Achola
WD: Shaffie Nalwanja
GD: Christine Nakitto
GK: Stella Nanfuka [Haniisha Muhameed] sub