Uganda’s She Cranes were defeated 65-50 by South Africa’s SPAR Proteas in the final of the 2024 Africa Netball Cup, held this afternoon at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia.
This victory secured South Africa’s fourth Africa Netball Cup title, solidifying their position as the top-ranked team on the continent.
The She Cranes, ranked second in Africa, demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament. After a narrow 49-50 loss to Zimbabwe in their opening match, Uganda bounced back with convincing wins over Namibia (55-43) and Eswatini (85-34) in the group stage.
They carried this momentum into the semifinals, where they triumphed over Malawi 51-43.
South Africa’s journey to the final was equally impressive. The Proteas dominated their group with impressive victories over Botswana (67-25), Zambia (73-28), and Namibia (75-27). In the semifinals, they defeated Zimbabwe 63-41, setting up an exciting final against Uganda.
The match began with South Africa asserting control, leading 16-12 after the first quarter. By halftime, their lead had grown to 30-24, thanks to swift transitions and precise shooting in the attacking circle. Despite Uganda’s efforts to close the gap, South Africa’s defense and offensive efficiency, driven by standout players Elmere Van Der Berg and Nicola Smith, proved too strong.
The Proteas continued their dominance in the third quarter, finishing with a commanding 50-33 lead. Uganda fought valiantly, but South Africa sealed the victory with a 15-point margin.
Although Uganda’s loss means they remain with three Africa Netball Cup titles, the She Cranes can take pride in their performance, especially after missing last year’s edition due to administrative challenges.
After the match, Uganda’s head coach, Nelson Bogere, praised the team’s journey.
“It’s been a valuable tournament for us, full of lessons that we’ll use to improve further. I’m grateful to the players, coaches, administrators, media, and fans who supported us throughout the tournament.”
