Fred Mugerwa the head coach of She cranes has summoned 27 players that will start preparations for the Netball World Cup due July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town South Africa.
As we interviewed Mr Mugerwa, he was already determined to improve the prowess of his defenders whose skill have proved wanting in the previous competitions.
However among the defenders summoned by the head coach include the duo of Kadondi Faridah and Nassaka Shakirah from Makindye Weyonje, Muhammeed Hanisha, Christine Nakitto and Nalwanja of KCCA, viola Asingo, Stellah Nafuka and Tausi Mumena from Uganda prisons as well as Private kayeny of NIC.
From the above list Nafuka and Nalwanga have experience of netball World Cup in 2015 and 2019 respectively and have served the national team for a while meanwhile the rest are still in experienced with only a few caps to their names.
Former assistant captain Joan Nampungu and youngster Sandra Nambirige who have been a force to reckon with in the previous She cranes competitions out of the team.
Mugerwa is however determined to shape and groom the available defenders to see that Uganda guards against their opponents.
He added that Nampungu’s whereabouts are no where to be traced hence her assistant captaincy role from the previous competitions has been bestowed on shooter Irene Eyaru who has also served as assistant captain on some occasions.
Previously it has been observed that She cranes have always been on the offensive.
They shoot goals but fail to prevent their opponents from retaliating which has been arising from the poor defense of the team.
However Mugerwa believes that through constant focus and trial games with men’s sides he will build a strong defensive team that will help him defeat opponents in the World Cup.
According to schedule , Uganda’s She Cranes will open their campaign against Singapore on Friday July 28 and then face off New Zealand on Saturday July 29 before taking on Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday July 30.