Endurance key as She Cranes target Africa Netball Cup glory
Mubiru's biggest observation from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, was that Uganda often started matches strongly before struggling in the third quarter due to a lack of endurance.
She Cranes in training. Courtesy photo
She Cranes head coach Rashid Mubiru has identified endurance as one of the major areas the team must improve if Uganda is to make a strong impact at the Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mubiru's biggest observation from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, was that Uganda often started matches strongly before struggling in the third quarter due to a lack of endurance.
"My biggest observation at the Commonwealth Games is that players could play the first two quarters well but lose in the third quarter because they did not have endurance. They could regain it in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done," Mubiru said.
The coach says the team has since put greater emphasis on fitness and endurance as they prepare for the continental championship.
"We want them to play the four quarters like they started in the first quarter. We have been working so much on fitness and endurance," he added.
To strengthen the squad, Mubiru has brought in seven new players: Evelyn Ayitesi, Annet Namuddu, Sheilah Nayibanda, Carol Abalo, Christine Namulumba, Joan Nantumbwe, and Nassim Khadala.
He believes the additions will give him more options, particularly because several players can operate in more than one position.
"The new additions in the team are very essential because we needed a number of good and fit players in more than one position. It is part of strengthening the team. When you have a variety of good players, you always have a choice," Mubiru noted.
The 14-player She Cranes squad is currently in residential training at Allen VR Stanley (AVR) Arena in Nakirebe ahead of the Africa Netball Cup, scheduled for September 19-26 in Nairobi.
The tournament will also serve as a 2027 Netball World Cup qualifier, with two top-performing nations earning qualification alongside Uganda and South Africa, who have already secured their places.
Uganda finished runners-up at last year's championship in Lilongwe, Malawi, after losing 56-34 to South Africa in the final.
Assistant captain Shaffie Nalwanja is confident the team's preparations have put them in a good position to compete.
"Currently, we are working on coordination because we have many new players on the team. I encourage the new players to believe in themselves. Netball is the same both at national and international level. I urge them to believe in themselves, and I know they can," Nalwanja said.