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She Cranes start AFN Cup campaign with Eswatini, Zimbabwe
She Cranes team in Namibia. PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
The team has had three training sessions in Namibia that have helped them bond and also get acclimatized with the Namibian weather condition as well as the MTC Dome court.
Uganda’s netball team the She Cranes will take on Eswatini before playing against Zimbabwe in their opening fixtures of the Africa Netball Championship that starts Monday at the MTC Dome, Swakopmund, Namibia.
The She Cranes travelled to Namibia for the competition on Thursday last week where they were later joined by professional shooter Mary Nuba who pries her trade with Queensland Firebirds in Australia.
The team has had three training sessions in Namibia that have helped them bond and also get acclimatized with the Namibian weather condition as well as the MTC Dome court.
Captain Irene Eyaru who was also on the 2018 Africa Cup winning team reveals that the current squad is better suited and determined to re-write history.
“The mood in camp is good, all players are working together as a team, we have got some training sessions here and we are just waiting for the competition. We are determined to win all our fixtures,” Eyaru said.
“Comparing the two teams, the one we have right now is the best ever team, it’s currently the best team in Africa hence we do not have any doubt about team Uganda,” Eyaru added.
Uganda will have to tough it out against other group B opponents including hosts Namibia and Lesotho on Wednesday and Thursday to complete the round robin format before proceeding to the semifinals.
Uganda’s arch rivals including South Africa and Malawi are pooled in group A alongside Zambia and Kenya but assistant coach Nourdine Kato says the She Cranes will not undermine any opponent at the competition.
“One may look at our group and think it is an easy one with teams that have less history in African netball, but as team Uganda we are taking all the matches as finals. We are aware that all the teams that came for the championship are good and eager to make their nations proud,” he said.
“Teams have changed a lot and African netball has changed a lot so we cannot take them for granted. Of course we are determined to win the trophy,” Kato added.
The event has also been graced by male netball teams but Uganda could not afford to prepare a mens’ team for the competition.
South Africa are the current defending champions for the Africa Netball Championship.
Africa Netball Championship
Monday fixtures
Uganda vs. Eswatini – 10am
Uganda vs. Zimbabwe – 5pm
