She Cranes qualify for 2019 Netball World Cup

Africa Netball Championship, Zambia

Results

Zimbabwe 58 Kenya 41

Malawi 86 Namibia 47

Uganda 64 Zambia 56

The She Cranes have barely a year to prepare for the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England.

The East African side was the first nation at the Africa Netball Championship to qualify for World Cup due July 12 to 21 at the Echo Arena.

They beat Zambia 64-52 at the International Youth Olympic Center in Lusaka on Friday to book the third African slot.

Uganda now joins South Africa who are the top ranked nation in Africa and Malawi (second best) in the World Cup. 

Zimbabwe beat Kenya 58-41 to secure the fourth and final African slot.

Meanwhile, in the battle for the African title, Uganda's win against hosts Zambia, extended the She Cranes stay at the top of the table with 10 points.

Credit goes to Uganda's only professional and goal shooter Peace Proscovia who played all the 60 minutes.

She paired with Racheal Nanyonga as they jointly scored the goals that gave the She Cranes a 18-12 lead in the first quarter then a 34-25 at halftime. Nanyonga was replaced by Stella Oyella in goal attack in the third quarter.

Coach Vincent Kiwanuka's side play Zimbabwe on Saturday in the last fixture to decide the African champion.

Uganda has 314 goals and this means Zimbabwe at 278, has to beat the She Cranes with 37 goal marginto take the Africa title.

Table standing
 
                     P          W        L          Pts

Uganda          5          4          0          10

Zimbabwe      5          4          1          8

Zambia           4          3          1          6

Malawi            5          3          2          6

Namibia          4          1          3          2

Kenya             4          0          4          0

Botswana        4          0          4          0