She Cranes Ready For England Roses

By Emmanuel Sekago

The Uganda national netball team, She Cranes returns to action today (Tuesday) against hosts England Roses at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Uganda ranked 6^th at World and 2^nd on Africa continent comes in this match wanting to register their second win against a Vitality Roses side that is ranked number 3rd in World Rankings who have so far won three matches.

England has won three from as many games so far Trinidad (74-22), Malawi (66-41) and Northern Ireland (71-27)  scoring 211 and conceding 90 goals in total. The She Cranes lost to New Zealand 53-40 before making amends with a deserved 62-28 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

Today’s encounter will see Uganda enter the tie as underdogs having lost to the side in all previous meetings first in the Vitality Test Series 2018 at Copper Box Arena, London (50-46), (65-53) and (66-37) also, Uganda She Cranes chance of playing a medal match at the 2018 Commonwealth Games  dealt a final blow following a slim 55-49 defeat to England Roses at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and 2019 Netball World Cup England beat Uganda 64-32.

With a huge crowd behind the host nation at National Exhibition Centre today, She Cranes have all work to do against Jess Thirlby charges and have to remain alert across the four quarters.

Uganda’s netball side, the She Cranes, second game they eased past Trinidad and Tobago to get off the mark in Group B of the ongoing Netball tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The She Cranes led 13-6 after the first quarter and were 33-13 at halftime before winning by a difference of 34 goals in a one-sided affair. It was a confidence booster for She Cranes who lost 53-40 to World Champions New Zealand on Saturday.

Lightening player, Mary Nuba Cholhok led the way with 28 goals, Shadiah Nassanga added 25 from as many attempts while Irene Eyaru scored 9 more in a convincing performance.

Coach Fred Mugerwa made a couple of changed in the team and gave some minutes to players who missed the New Zealand game including Hanisha Muhammeed.

And the She Cranes were good value for the results in a match that pitted together 6th Vs. 10th in World Rankings.

Probable starters: Mary Nuba Cholhok (GS), Irene Eyalu (GA), Stella Oyella (WA), Jesca Achan (C), Sandra Ruth Nambirige (WD), Joan Nampungu (GD), Shaffie Nalwanja (GK)

Subs – Peace Proscovia, Margaret Bagala, Hanisha Muhammad, Shadiah Nassanga