Uganda destroys Zimbabawe to edge closer to African netball title

WEDNESDAY
Uganda ?? 61  Zimbabwe 45 ??
Botswana  57   Namibia   38
Malawi      51    Zambia     45

THURSDAY
Uganda ??   vs Zambia 6pm
Botswana vs Malawi     4pm
Namibia vs Zimbabwe  2pm

Results

Day 1
Uganda 72 def Botswana 29
(20-7, 42-14, 57-22, 72-29)
Day 2
Malawi 55 def Zimbabwe 45
(17-9, 28-21, ..-.., 55-45)
Uganda 69 def Nambia 31
(15-11, 38-15, 56-24, 69-31)
Zambia 57 def Botswana 42
Day 3
Uganda 66 def Malawi 43
(13-11, 27-22, 48-29, 66-43)
Zimbabwe 56 def Botswana 37
Zambia 56 def Nambia 46
Day 4
Malawi 64 def Nambia 35
(17-10, 35-19, 48-31, 64-35)
Zimbabwe 59 def Zambia 58
(19-11, 30-29, 44-45, 59-58

Uganda’s She Cranes destroyed reigning champions Zimbabawe Gems 61-45 baskets to take a four point lead with one game to go in the Africa Netball Championships at Lugogo today.

The She Cranes remain the only undefeated side at the six-nation African championships, and a victory Thursday in their final game against Zambia will give them the title.

Malawi Queens showed why they are Africa’s top ranked team by controlling the game and beating Zambia to keep themselves in the running for the title. The game was marred by a power cut in the 2nd quarter, but that did not unnerve Malawi.

Malawi led quarter one 12-09, 2nd quarter  13-12, third 39-34 before sealing it 51-45.

A victory for Malawi in their final game Thursday, and defeat for Uganda, will leave the top two teams tied at 8 points. Uganda’s superior goal average however  should see them crowned African champions on Thursday afternoon, as they would have to lose by as much as 50 baskets to be denied.

Uganda earlier confirmed their title credentials with victory over the top ranked team in the competition Malawi Queens (ranked 6th in the world)  by 66 to 43 baskets on Monday. Uganda is ranked 13th,  Zimbabwe 16th and Zambia 15th in the world.

Meanwhile, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has given the She Cranes and the U-20 netball teams a sh96 million boost.

Team       P  W  D  L   PTS     GOAL AV
Uganda      4   4   3   3     8           268
Malawi      4    3   0    1    6           213
Zambia      4   2   0    2    4           216
Zimbabwe 4   2   0    2    4           205
Botswana  4   1   0    4    2
Namibia    4   0   0    4    0

Uganda team:

Lilian Ajio (Goal Defender), Stella Nafuka (Goal Keeper), Wycline Natwentwa (Wide Defender), Betty Kiiza (Centre), Halima Nakachwa (Wide Attacker), Stella Oyella (Goal Attacker) and Peace Proscovia (Goal Shooter).