Uganda faces giants South Africa

Jun 27, 2013

UGANDA has to beat group favourites South Africa today to boost its chances of getting a Commonwealth Games netball slot

By David Namunyala and James Bakama

Africa Nations Challenge

Today

Uganda v South Africa

Yesterday

Uganda 72 Namibia 45

Botswana 59 Zimbabwe 51

Malawi 55 Zambia 48

UGANDA has to beat group favourites South Africa today to boost its chances of getting a Commonwealth Games netball slot.

The She Cranes beat Namibia 72-45 yesterday to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Nations Challenge championship.

Towering Peace Proscovia was the day’s star, netting 50 goals, while Hadija Nakabuye got 22.

But the Ugandans, who braved a road journey to Malawi, are well aware that there is much more than making it to the last four.

Winning their last group game against leaders South Africa will assure Uganda of not meeting defending champions Malawi at the penultimate stage.

Malawi, who top Group A, are not only playing well, but also enjoying huge home support.

The hosts, popularly known as the Queens, qualified for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games together with South Africa after a good show at the 2011 World Championships in Singapore. 

Africa’s third team at the team at the Glasgow Games will be known in Malawi.

The She Cranes are confident they can soar above Africa’s second best team.

“We have beaten them before. So, today’s game is no exception,” said UNF secretary Annet Kisomose at the Malawi College of Medicine sports complex. 

Uganda beat South Africa’s Proteas to win gold at the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique. 

“We are not scared of them because we have watched most of their games and we know their tactics. Beating them today definitely means we get closer to attaining a slot at the next challenge,” Kisomose explained.

Uganda are now level with South Africa on four points in two games, though the Proteas top the group on goal difference.

This is the third edition of the African event. Malawi won the 2012 competition in Dar es Salaam where Uganda was locked out due to administrative wrangles despite making the trip to Tanzania.

Uganda got off to a great start in the annual competition by beating Swaziland 69-38 in a game where Proscovia was again the player to beat. Group games end today. 

Tomorrow is a rest day while the semi- finals are on Saturday before the final on Sunday.

Having missed the last two editions, this year’s event will serve as a gauge for Uganda on the Africa rankings.

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