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Uganda senior women's netball team head coach Fred Tabale Mugerwa has reasons why he dropped decorated and vastly experienced She Cranes defender Joan Nampungu.
Mugerwa summoned a provisional squad of 30 players for national duty ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa.
However, Nampungu, the She Cranes vice-captain, also known as the 'Queen of interceptions' for her stellar defensive skills and zonal marking, did not make the cut.
Speaking to Pulse Sports Uganda, Mugerwa stated that he couldn't summon a player(s) serving a suspension with their respective clubs.
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"Nampungu is serving a suspension with her club, and I don't know how long it will take," Mugerwa said before adding.
"She absconded from training and club activities. As a result, her club [National Insurance Corporation (NIC) Netball Club] suspended her indefinitely."
"I don't know when the suspension will end, but I understand her contract expires around October," he added.
The Netball World Cup is slated for July 28th to August 6th, and Mugerwa named KCCA's Irene Eyaru as the interim vice-captain.
"She will be leading the girls as we wait for the team leaders playing professionally abroad", he added.
Who is Joan Nampungu?
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Born in 1998 to Mr Saazi Cosia Ssebakijje and Mrs Aminah Najjuma, Nampungu is arguably one of the best defenders of her generation.
Nampungu had the privilege of being a daughter of a former netball coach who quickly took an interest in her talent.
She started playing netball as early as her primary school days. While in senior four, she joined the national team junior ranks, the U18 team, and later got elevated to the U21s in 2016 and was promoted to the senior team in 2018.
Nampungu's achievements
2014: Gold Medal U18 (Botswana)
2016: Bronze medal in U21 World Cup (Botswana)
2018: Gold Medal Africa Nations Championship (Zambia)
2018: Gold Medal FISU University Netball championship (Uganda)
2019: Qualified for World Cup (England)
2019: Bronze medal Africa Cup (South Africa)
2019: Bronze medal Africa Cup (South Africa)
2022: Commonwealth Games (Birmingham)
School level (2011-2016)
Five national championship titles with Kitende.
Six East Africa Championship titles with Kitende
Five District championship with Kitende
Club Achievements
Four National titles with NIC [2017,2018,2019,2020]
Two National League titles with NIC [2017,2019]
One East Africa Championship title [2019]
Individual Achievements
2016: Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Player of the Year
2017: Best Defender, East Africa Championship
2021: Real Stars Monthly Award winner (March).
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