She Cranes prepare for Zambia in style

Aug 06, 2015

IFyou heard Zambia talk today you would imagine the She Cranes are in serious trouble. Zambia are talking big ahead of their opening World Cup encounter against Uganda on Friday

By James Bakama and David Namunyala

 

Uganda 38 Singapore 19

Uganda v Samoa (Warmup)

 

IFyou heard Zambia talk today you would imagine the She Cranes are in serious trouble.

 

Zambia are talking big ahead of their opening World Cup encounter against Uganda on Friday.

 

Not even She Cranes’ win over Singapore in a build-up friendly on Tuesday seems to have shaken the Chipolopolo.

 

“We’ve come here to win,” warned veteran shooter Diana Banda said.  “We want to take the World Cup home to Zambia.”

 

She Cranes coach Rashid Mubiru however dismissed Banda talk as empty threats. “They can talk. Let’s wait for the match proper. We shall beat them like we have always done.”

 

Uganda starts off its second appearance at netball’s biggest competition with a Group D match against Zambia tomorrow.

 

Not even the fact that Zambia have in recent years been Uganda’s punch bags seems to worry Banda.

 

If there is anyone whose opinion should be taken seriously it should Banda.

 

This will be her second World Cup, the first having been in Zambia’s debut in 1999 in Christchurch.

 

That was 20 years after Uganda made is maiden appearance at the World Cup.

 

Uganda on Monday lost to New Zealand 67-46 in their first friendly. But after yesterday’s win coach Mubiru is optimistic his side has corrected mistakes.

 

The She Cranes take on Samoa today in the third and final buildup match. Samoa are ranked 13 in the International Netball Federation rankings. Uganda are a place behind.

 

Besides Zambia, Uganda is also in the same group with Fiji and Wales. Fiji are seventh while Wales are a place behind in the INF rankings.

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