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The pace, the agility, the anticipation of New Zealand was too much for the She Cranes to contain on match day of the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
The World champions won 54-44 in a game Uganda struggled to contain their nerves inside the main hall at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Mary Nuba was a threat and New Zealand knew it as their goalkeeper Kelly Jury and goal defender Phoenix Karaka matched her height and aggressiveness.
And it was the same case at the other end of the court, as Stellah Nanfuka and Christine Nakitto were no match for New Zealand shooter Grace Nweke and later Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Irene Eyaru, the midfield of Margret Bagaala, Norah Lunkuse and Shaffie Nalwanja all gave a good fight but it wasn’t good enough to handle the hunger of New Zealand.
But that didn’t stop the She Cranes to match New Zealand pound for pound in the first quarter as the latter won it 13-11.
Uganda didn’t help themselves with consistently lost the centre pass which kept on giving New Zealand the lead and after gaining a 24-20 lead midway the second quarter, they never looked back. 25-22 they led by halftime.
Coach Fred Mugerwa introduced Shadia Nassanga for Eyaru and to support Nuba and Haniisha Muhammed for Stellah Nanfuka in goalkeeping. Nez Zealand won the third 13-11 to lead the game 38-32.
Falidah Kadondi replaced Muhameed at the start of the last quarter, but New Zealand was still the better side as they took control of group D with six points.
Uganda will hope to win their last group game against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday afternoon as New Zealand will be expected to make light work of Singapore.
How Uganda started against New Zealand
GS: Mary Nuba
GA: Irene Eyaru ©
WA: Norah Lunkuse
C: Margret Baagala
WD: Shaffie Nalwanja
GD: Christine Nakitto
GK: Stellah Nanfuka
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