Netball: Mixed day for She Cranes

Africa Netball Cup

Uganda 47 South Africa 50

Uganda 98 Lesotho 24

The She Cranes can take some pride from their 47-50 loss to South Africa even though it has taken the title defence out of their hands.

Rashid Mubiru's new-look team put in quite the shift but could not finish the job against the very efficient South Africans.

"We lost a lot of balls and somehow South Africa used that advantage to lead us by many goals. We came from behind and they never allowed us to lead them," Mubiru said.

Stella Oyella who is playing only her second tournament as a centre was energetic taking interceptions but was also prone to the turnovers which made the difference between the two teams.

Mary Nuba in action against Lesotho. Courtesy Photo

Mary Nuba was very good in the goal shooter role and Irene Eyaru was immense in taking some of the pressure off Nuba while Stella Nanfuka and Joan Nampungu did a good job on South Africa's shooting duo of Lenize Potgieter and Renske Stoltz.

The She Cranes can especially be proud of their performance in the third quarter where they outscored South Africa 15-11.

Uganda will face tournament third seed Malawi in one of the clashes of the tournament where a loss for Uganda may give the southern Africa side much needed ranking points that could push Uganda out of sixth place.