African Netball Associations Championships
Semi Finals (Friday)
South Africa Vs Zambia -8:30 a.m
Uganda Vs Malawi – 11: 30 AM
Uganda Netball team, the She Cranes lost their last group B fixture against Africa’s second best team, South Africa by 39-46 at the Blantyre Youth Centre in Malawi on Thursday evening in a match played under scorching sunshine conditions.The She Cranes, who reside in Grace Bandawe Lodges, put up a gallant fight from start to finish as they trailed the South African Spar Proteas 24-26 by the close of first half.
Uganda’s prolific shooter, Peace Proscovia, who had scored 83 baskets coming into this fixture was put at bay by the Spar Protea’s defenders through out the game as she could only manage a paltry 27 baskets this time round. “I believe, if the umpire was fair, we would have pulled off a descent scoreline”, said Uganda’s head coach, Nelson Bogere, as he narrated his team’s ordeal to Kawowo sports shortly after the game.
A correspondent in Malawi, Bobby Kabango confirmed that some of the umpires’ calls at times left a lot to be desired. “Even the fans at the center shouted at him (the referee), when he made blunders and questionable decisions”, Kabango asserted.
In the earlier fixtures of the day played, Zambia beat neighbors, Zimbabwe 66-44, to book a semi final berth against South Africa on Friday morning. Hosts Malawi indeed proved that they are Africa’s seed one with a 66 -23 drubbing of Bostwana while Namibia were 53-30 victors over Swaziland. Malawi’s sharp shooters, Sindi Mutawe, Joyce Mvula and defenders Towera Vinkhumbo and Caroline Mtukule did a commendable task to lead the host nation to victory.
The semi final menu unrolls on Friday morning and the finals will be staged in the evening.
Thursday results
Zambia 63 Zimbabwe 44
Malawi 65 Botswana 23
Namibia 53 Swaziland 30
South Africa 46 Uganda 39
