Eyaru reportedly out of She Cranes World Cup squad

Sacrificial Lamb? Upcoming Goal Attacker Irene Eyaru has been asked to stay back home in the place of experienced Rachael Nanyongo, whose ingrain ability as a hardworker made her a favourite to partner captain Peace Proscovia. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE

KAMPALA- Daily Monitor has learnt that promising goal shooter Irene Eyaru has been dropped on the final 12–man squad for Netball World Cup due July 12-21 in Liverpool, England.

With professional shooters Mary Nuba and Peace Proscovia automatically booking places at the final team due to their professional ranks, the team has players from 2015 World Cup including Ruth Meeme (center), Lilian Ajio (wing defender), Stella Oyella (goal attacker), Rachael Nanyonga (goal attacker) and Sylvia Nanyonga (wing defender).

Other players include Joan Nampungu (wing defender), Betty Kizza (centre), Muhayimuna Namuwaya (goal keeper), Stella Nanfuka (goal keeper) and Norah Lunkuse (wing attacker).

This paper has also learnt that the delay in squad announcement has been caused by stiff competition for forward positions. Stella Oyella could not be dropped from the team because of her towering stature which is believed can land her professional career just like Nuba and Proscovia. Controversy arose as the technical committee failed to single out who was more suitable a player between Nanyonga and Eyaru. However by vote of the majority, Nanyonga got the nod.

“The federation president Susan Anek and others have been in favour of youngster Eyaru whom they wanted to replace long serving Nanyonga at the national team. However, others preferred Nanyonga to continue with her experience and hard work hence the delay,” revealed a close source to UNF.

Nanyonga’s combination with Proscovia has always been a force to reckon with during international engagements. Eyaru came into limelight during the World University Netball Championships that Uganda won unbeaten last year in Makerere. She has greatly improved her game with high level of defence, hunger for the ball and shooting accuracy.

“Our training has been on and off so we needed to critically analyse the team before revealing it just to avoid mistakes,” said Wilberforce Mutete, the Netball federation spokesperson. The deadline for handing in the final squad to the World Cup organisers is May 31, according to Mutete.