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Coaching the She Cranes to fifth at his first World Cup is not a milestone head coach Fred Mugerwa takes for granted.
Uganda defeated South Africa 49-47 to finish fifth at the 2023 Netball World Cup, and to Mugerea it was a message to all who have stepped on his toes, poked his eyes and disrespected him.
Mugerwa would have achieved his World Cup dream eight years ago as the She Cranes booked the ticket to Australia, their first appearance since 1979.
But he was kicked off the team two weeks into the competition and replaced by Rashid Mubiru, who guided the side to eighth overall.
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17:50 - 01.06.2023
NETBALL Fred Mugerwa yet to recover from 2015 'heart break' ahead of 2023 Netball World Cup
Two weeks before the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, She Cranes coach Fred Mugerwa was sacked from his role after an evening training session at the GEMs gym in Butabika.
In 2019, Vincent Kiwanuka coached the team and guided Uganda to a respectable seventh overall at the competition.
Mugerwa, coaching at his first World Cup, guided Uganda to fifth in the competition, which made them Africa's best-ranked team at the first World Cup on African soil.
"Of course, I am thrilled and great," Mugerwa told Pulse Sports after Uganda's 49-47 win over South Africa before adding.
"This is also a message to all those who have doubted and disrespected me over the years."
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"I am glad that what I should have done eight years ago, I have been able to achieve it now, simply because people didn't trust me."
"Should they have trusted me then, we shouldn't have been fighting for number five now because I would have gained enough experience to train these guys."
"And also, to fight for those top four positions, this time, we would be fighting for the top three positions," Mugerwa added.
Mugerwa's contract expires in October, and for some reason, it is unclear whether the Uganda Netball Federation will renew it or let him go.
There are reports of a foreign coach being considered for the job.
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