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Kadondi eager to impress at AFN Netball Championships
Faridah Kadondi
What you need to know:
Uganda finished second at the 2021 Africa Netball Champions after losing their decisive round-robin game to giants South Africa.
She Cranes and Nottingham Forest defender Faridah Kadondi will be a force to reckon with when Uganda vies for glory at the Africa Netball Championships due to throw off on Monday in Namibia.
Kadondi, who made the final squad when the She Cranes last took part in the competition in 2021, still in Namibia, could not get playing time.
Then a debutant, she could not beat competition from outstanding defenders that included Joan Nampungu, Lilian Ajio, Sandra Nambirige, Shaffie Nalwanja, and Sylivia Nanyonga.
Three years later, Kadondi has tremendously improved her craft, landing a professional deal at Nottingham Forest in England and becoming a senior among the current defenders among Coach Nelson Bogere's She Cranes.
The former Makindye Weyonje Netball Club player joined the national team camp Tuesday before they set off for the continental test Thursday morning.
Despite taking part in more outstanding competitions including the Netball World Cup in 2023, Test Series early this year in England, the Netball Fast Five in New Zealand last month among others, Kadondi is still hungry to make a mark at the Africa Cup.
She believes her game has improved ever since she joined professional ranks and she is eager to work with teammates to see that they win the trophy.
"Whatever I have learnt, I will be applying it on court and work together with my teammates to see that we really achieve victory," Kadondi said.
"I wont say that there is no pressure, the pressure is on as everyone is expecting me to do well. When I am on court I want to put the pressure aside and focus on what I am supposed to do.
"Actually this is what keeps us going as a team because we donot bring the pressure on court," she added.
Other defenders on the She Cranes squad include Sandra Nambirige who will be returning for her second Africa Cup after the 2021 event, debutant Gloria Aya who won the East African Netball Most valuable player accolade for NIC this year and Hanisha Muhameed among others.
Uganda finished second at the 2021 Africa Netball Champions after losing their decisive round-robin game to giants South Africa.
She Cranes Squad
Shooters: Rachael Nanyonga, Christine Namulumba, Mary Nuba, Irene Eyaru, Shadia Nassanga
Defenders: Sandra Nambirige, Gloria Aya, Hanisha Muhammed, Christine Nakitto, Faridah Kadondi
Mid-courters: Mercy Batamuriza, Joyce Nakibuule, Margaret Bagala, Firidaus Namulema
