Uganda Baby Netball Cranes earn fourth consecutive victory | World U-21 Qualifiers

World U-21 Netball Championship Qualifiers:

Friday Results:

• Uganda 34 – 29 Malawi
• Zambia 41 -32 Namibia
• South Africa 42-31 Zimbabwe

Uganda U-21 Netball remained unbeaten by the close of business on Friday at the on-goung World U-21 Championship qualifiers in Botswana.

The Baby She Cranes overcame a hard fighting Malawi side 34-29 in a closely contested encounter played at the University of Botswana sports arena in the capital, Gaborone.

Uganda led throughout the four quarters, starting with 8-6 in the opening stanza.

The team captained by Joan Nampungu, a senior four student at St Mary’s Kitende held onto the lead 17-15 by the half time mark.

In the third quarter, it remained a neck to neck affair with Uganda carrying a goal advantage, 25-24.

Uganda faces South Africa on Saturday. The two countries are unbeaten in their previous matches.

On Tuesday, Uganda defeated before getting the better of Lesotho 87-11 in a one sided subsequent day.

The Baby She Cranes then defeated the hosts Botswana 49-36 to earn their third consecutive victory of the campaign on Thursday.

In the other matches on Friday, Central Africans Zambia beat Namibia 41-32 as the heavy weights South African Baby Proteas defeated Zimbabwe 41-32 after leading the first quarter 10-8 and stretching the lead to 22-15 by the half time mark.

By the third quarter, the writing was already posted on the wall South Africa was destined for yet another routine victory with a ten point34-24 lead.

The cream de-la-cream three top sides will book their berths at the world event that will still be hosted in Botswana next year.

The tournament continues on Saturday.

Team Uganda in Botswana:

Players:

Goal-Attackers: Joan Nampuugu (St Kitende) – Captain, Sharifa Nalunkuuma (UCU)