The Uganda national netball team, the She Cranes, will take part in the 2024 Africa Netball Cup scheduled to take place at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia, from December 9 to December 14, 2024. Head coach Nelson Bogere has named a 14-player squad that will represent Uganda at the tournament, marking the return of the team to the championship after a three-year absence.

She Cranes to Jet Off to Namibia The team will leave Uganda in the wee hours of Thursday morning aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight at 2:45 am. They will compete for the continental title with seven other nations that include Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the host nation Namibia.

This will present an opportunity to the She Cranes as they seek to flex muscles and make a return among the African elites in this sport. This is its first appearance at the Africa Netball Championship, having only managed to appear last in the 2021 event for the runners-up position behind South Africa.

Coach Nelson Bogere Names the Squad

Head coach Nelson Bogere has announced a team of 14 players, carefully selected to ensure a perfect blend that will increase Uganda’s chances of success. The squad includes players in three key areas: shooters, mid-court, and defenders.

Shooters:

• Eyaru Irene
• Namulumba Christine
• Nasanga Shadia
• Mary Nuba Cholhok
• Rachel Nanyonga

Mid-Court:

• Bagala Margaret
• Nakibuule Joyce
• Firdausi Namulema
• Mercy Batamuliza

Defenders:

• Nambirige Sandra
• Nakiito Christine
• Kadondi Faridah
• Hanisha Muhammad
• Ayaa Gloria

High Hopes for the She Cranes

The She Cranes return to the Africa Netball Championship for the first time in three years, hungry to improve on previous successes. In 2021, the team narrowly lost the title to a strong South African side in the final. Fresh from international exposure and well-prepared, the She Cranes are ready to do better this time around.

Challenging Opponents Await

The Africa Netball Cup brings together some of the continent’s best teams, and the competition will be fierce. South Africa, the reigning champions, will be a significant challenge, alongside other strong teams like Malawi and Zimbabwe. The She Cranes will also face up-and-coming teams such as Kenya and Zambia, as well as hosts Namibia, who will have home-court advantage.

Spotlight on Key Players

Among the players to watch includes the towering shooter Mary Nuba Cholhok, a player who has made a name in the circle due to her accuracy and dominance. She will be supported in attack by the experience of players like Rachel Nanyonga and Eyaru Irene. On the middle court, much will be required from the likes of Bagala Margaret and Nakibuule Joyce as they connect the dots between defense and attack. The defenders will include the likes of Hanisha Muhammad and Ayaa Gloria.

Preparing and Focusing for it All Coach Bogere still made sure to emphasize what mattered most, which are good teammates and the ability of individuals to stand strong without cracking under the pressure: “It is a big stage as a test of ourselves on the African continent. The team put enough sweat into this, hence leaving the rest to confidence”.

Extensive preparations include intensive training and friendlies to put place a better strategy. The She Cranes have also engaged their brains as they prepare the psychology, ensuring that calmness characterizes their efforts and maintains competitiveness throughout.

The Road Ahead

The participation of the She Cranes in the 2024 Africa Netball Cup is not only about bringing home the title but also about inspiring young netball players in Uganda. With the sport slowly gaining popularity in the country, the performance of the team could further boost interest and investment in the sport.
The She Cranes enter Namibia with the hopes of a nation that wants to see them succeed on the continental stage. With a strong squad and determination, Uganda’s netball stars are poised to make their mark at the 2024 Africa Netball Cup. All eyes will be on the team as they go into battle for the coveted championship title against the best on the African continent.

Stay tuned as the She Cranes aim to soar to new heights and bring glory to Uganda!