Nuba skips She Cranes camp to focus on Australian club commitments
Nuba's decision comes just weeks after she secured a new professional contract with New South Wales Swifts ahead of the 2027 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Mary Nuba. PHOTO: Gerald Kikulwe
Ugandan goal shooter Mary Nuba has opted not to join the She Cranes as Uganda intensifies preparations for the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, scheduled for September 19–26 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nuba's decision comes just weeks after she secured a new professional contract with New South Wales Swifts ahead of the 2027 Suncorp Super Netball season. The prolific shooter signed a season-long deal with the Australian club two weeks ago.
Sources indicate that Nuba chose to prioritise her new professional commitments as she prepares for the upcoming season in Australia.
Meanwhile, the She Cranes have begun their final preparations for the continental championship, with a 14-player squad summoned on Thursday (September 3) that immediately entered a residential training camp at the AVRS Secondary School Arena in Nakirebe.
Head coach Rashid Mubiru remains confident that the team can make the most of the limited time available before the tournament, following arrangements by Netball Uganda, the federation responsible for the sport in the country, to secure a residential camp at Nakirebe Guest House.
Speaking to Vision Sports, Mubiru said the team would use the remaining days efficiently, with intensive morning and evening training sessions designed to sharpen the players ahead of the competition.
"We are going to be training in the morning and evening. Fortunately, the indoor facility we are using has many features similar to the Kasarani Arena," Mubiru said.
Uganda finished runners-up at the previous edition of the Africa Netball Cup in Zimbabwe and will enter this year's competition determined to reclaim the continental crown.
The She Cranes are targeting a fourth Africa Netball Cup title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2014 in Botswana, 2017 in Uganda, and 2018 in Zambia.
She Cranes Squad
Racheal Nanyonga (Captain), Shaffie Nalwanja (Assistant Captain), Gloria Ayaa, Eve Aitesi, Sheillah Nayibanda, Nashim Kadala, Margaret Baagala, Shadia Nassanga, Winnie Alice Esoto, Nasiimu Mutesi, Joan Nantumbwe, Annet Namuddu, Carol Abaro and Christine Kango Namulumba.