Overview:
This was the first victory for Uganda having lost to Cameroon in the opener and drew 32-all with Democratic Republic of Congo during the second game.
13th African Games (Handball Women):
- Uganda 37-27 Mali
- Cameroon 24-25 Democratic Republic of Congo
Uganda women handball team has bowed out of the 13th African Games in Accra city, Ghana.
The East African country won her final group stage game 37-27 over Mali at the Bortyman sports complex.
This was the first victory for Uganda having lost to Cameroon in the opener and drew 32-all with Democratic Republic of Congo during the second game.
Against Mali, Jesca Nakamanya, Barbra Nantume and Hilda Abangit each scored eight goals.
Patricia Arago, Diana Nakamanya and Diana Tiperu returned six goals apiece.
Lillian Achola netted four goals, Dorren Ondora had two whilst Priscilla Aber had one.
Mali’s scorers for this early throw-off game were Diarra Bintou and Fanta Guindo (both with eight goals), Saounera Aissata (six), Gana Gnaba and Daou Madna (both four) with three players scoring once; Sidibe Yayi, Dembele Gnaga and Wadjou Kadiatou.
Democratic Republic of Congo topped the group after a narrow 25-24victory over Cameroon.
This was Cameroon’s first defeat in the tournament that relegates them to second place.
Uganda head coach Aziz Yakouba cites a number of positives from the championship.
“It has been a crucial learning experience for our players at the African Games. We have faced experienced teams at the tournament from which our players will learn a thing or two. We return home with our heads up” Yakoub stated.
The Championship is top. For example the 2 teams of group B; Cameroon and Congo play at the world championship and already qualified to play at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Playing against them has showed us where we stand as a country in Handball. The best lesson learnt is to appear frequently at the top championships for example we have the African Cup of Nations in November in Kinshasha. It can be a good stage for the sport.
Aziz Yakoub, Uganda Handball women head coach
Uganda has so far claimed 9 medals at the championships from weightlifting, swimming, badminton and boxing.
Weightlifting has three (one gold and two silvers), badminton has three medals (one gold and two bronze), swimming has one bronze while boxing medal (by Ivan Tumusiime) is yet to be determined.