In a thrilling showdown at the Cape Town International Convention Center on Sunday, Uganda’s She Cranes soared to their best-ever Netball World Cup finish, securing fifth place by narrowly defeating South Africa 49-47.
The closely contested match saw the She Cranes clinching their victory with determination and skill.
The game kicked off with the She Cranes edging the opening quarter 12-11, followed by a mirror-image second quarter where South Africa matched their scoreline, leaving the teams tied at halftime.
The battle raged on with little to separate the top two African sides, until the She Cranes managed to seize a crucial two-goal lead as they entered the fourth quarter, which ultimately concluded in a deadlock.
The spotlight of the match shone on Mary Nuba, a dominant force in the circle, who netted an impressive 29 goals. Captain Irene Eyaru showcased her leadership and precision with a flawless 10 out of 10 shooting record. Shadiah Nassanga’s 10 crucial goals also played a pivotal role in securing the historic victory.
The triumph propels Uganda to a remarkable fifth-place ranking in the global standings, solidifying their position as the number one team in Africa.