In a fierce battle of heavyweights at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, the defending champions KCCA maintained their perfect start to the National Netball League season on Sunday.
Edging record champions NIC 42-36 in a tense, high-stakes encounter, KCCA handed their rivals their first defeat of the campaign and showcased the composure and tactical maturity of a side accustomed to high-pressure occasions.
The six-goal thriller was defined by relentless defensive pressure, costly turnovers, and a fiercely contested midcourt battle that kept the vocal crowd on edge from start to finish.
Both sides came into the contest sharply, producing an immediate, intense opening. KCCA soon gained the upper hand in the midcourt, punishing two critical errors from NIC and turning loose balls into vital goals to take the opening quarter 13-10.
The second quarter transformed into a defensive chess match. Turnovers flowed at both ends at a higher rate than goals, but KCCA managed to edge the frame 10–9, carrying a 23–19 advantage into the halftime break.
The pattern continued after the restart. The third quarter largely mirrored the second, with both teams committing numerous unforced errors. Clean feeds into the shooting circle and precise transitions proved difficult to execute, resulting in a low-scoring 8-8 period that left KCCA four goals ahead heading into the final stretch.
The escalating tension finally boiled over late in the third quarter when an umpire’s decision went against KCCA on a play the club’s technical bench strongly believed should have been awarded in their favour.
The controversial call triggered a furious reaction from the KCCA bench and sent the crowd into a frenzy. The confrontation quickly escalated as coaches from both benches exchanged heated words with the umpires, forcing a complete stoppage of play that lasted more than five minutes. Order was eventually restored after the officiating team issued cautions and warnings to both benches, allowing the high-stakes encounter to resume.
When the decisive final quarter arrived, KCCA’s championship experience and depth on the bench came to the fore. Coach Mugerwa made effective tactical changes that disrupted NIC’s rhythm, allowing the defending champions to edge the final quarter and pull away to a 42-36 victory.
The result preserved KCCA’s perfect record, meaning they have now won all seven of their matches and collected 14 points to remain second on the table. They trail leaders UCU Angels by four points, although UCU have played three more matches.
For NIC, the defeat brought an end to their unbeaten beginning to the season and saw the record champions drop to fourth place after seven games. The result underlined KCCA’s remarkable ability to navigate difficult moments against one of the league’s most decorated sides.
Looking ahead, KCCA now turn their attention to Kajjansi next weekend as they seek to extend their winning run, while NIC must quickly regroup for a tough double-header against Canaan and Prisons as they look to bounce back from their first setback of the season.
The match unfolded with NIC starting Akuwre Angela at GS, Aya Gloria at GD, Shafura Nalufu at C, Fida Kasewa at WD, Namuli Alice at WA, Nanyonga Rachael at GA, and Nassim Mutesi at GK, backed by substitutes Isoto Winnie Alice, Dorothy Diko Catherine, Anomyu Miriam, Namuli Grace, and Sera Zam. KCCA countered with a starting lineup of Batambuliza Marcy at GA, Bagala Margret at C, Nakagolo Faisha at GS, Nakazibwe Brenda at WA, Nakitto Christine at GD, Nalwanga Shafie at GK, and Natasha Immaculate at WD, supported from the bench by Ampire Esther, Najuka Annet, and Namukose Hafuswa.