THE 2023 Netball World Cup is almost here, and to help count down to the tournament, Rookie Me Central will be previewing all the competing teams and seeing how they might fair at the tournament.

Today’s focus is the Uganda She Cranes.

HISTORY OF UGANDA AT THE NETBALL WORLD CUP

Uganda first appeared in the 1979 Netball World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago where the She Cranes finished equal 13th.

After going almost 40 years without another appearance, Uganda qualified for the past two World Cups. The She Cranes finished eighth in Sydney and seventh in Liverpool, where they threatened to cause an upset in a number of matches.

RECENT HISTORY

In the Fast5 World Series last year, Uganda shocked the world by beating Jamaica in the fifth placed playoff, while also stunning Australia by two goals in the group stage. Though ultimately losses to New Zealand, England and South Africa proved costly, it was a great result coming off a fifth placed finish at the Commonwealth Games.

In that major tournament, the She Cranes toppled South Africa 54-48, after defeating Malawi, Trinidad and Tobago and Northern Ireland. Though again they lost to New Zealand and England, the results showed the African nation is not too far adrift of the top few countries.

KEY PLAYERS

Uganda has an incredibly inexperienced squad for the upcoming games with only two players who featured at the 2019 Netball World Cup returning for the 2023 edition. Their shooting circle should be incredibly strong with Netball Super League top scorer Mary Cholhok the centrepiece, while Uganda Netball Super League top scorer Christine Namulumba also a consistent source of goals.

She Cranes skipper Irene Eyaru will likely start in that attacking third with Cholhok, while further up the court, Margret Baagala is one to watch. The versatile Hanisha Muhammad is one in the defensive third to keep an eye on, while Shaffie Nalwanja is a slick midcourter.

UGANDA FIXTURE (start times local)

Friday 28th July – 11am – Singapore

Saturday 29th July – 9am – New Zealand

Sunday 30th July – 4pm – Trinidad & Tobago

UGANDA SQUAD

Irene Eyaru, Mary Cholhok, Christine Namulumba Kango, Shadia Nassanga, Norah Lunkuse, Lillian Achola, Margret Baagala, Hanisha Muhammad, Stella Nanfuka, Faridah Kadondi, Shaffie Nalwanja

Reserves: Sarah Nakiyunga, Annet Najjuka, Viola Asingo