She Cranes Show Character to Down Wales in Glasgow Opener

Uganda’s She Cranes began their Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign in spectacular fashion after producing a spirited comeback to defeat Wales 59-50 in a thrilling Group B encounter at the OVO Hydro in Scotland. The victory was a testament to Uganda’s resilience, tactical discipline and mental strength as the team recovered from a challenging first half to claim a valuable opening win against a highly rated opponent.

The triumph places Uganda in a strong position early in the competition, with the She Cranes occupying second place in Group B behind New Zealand. The Silver Ferns also started their campaign on a winning note after recording a convincing 77-44 victory over Scotland, while Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are yet to play their opening fixture. With qualification for the knockout stage expected to be fiercely contested, Uganda’s positive start could prove vital in the coming matches.

The She Cranes made an encouraging start to the contest, showing confidence and composure against a Welsh side that entered the tournament ranked among the world’s top teams. Uganda’s attacking combinations flowed well in the opening stages, while their defensive unit applied pressure to restrict Wales’ scoring opportunities. Their efforts were rewarded with a narrow 15-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter, giving them an early boost in what was always expected to be a closely fought battle.

Wales responded strongly in the second quarter, demonstrating why they remain one of the competitive sides on the international stage. The Welsh team increased their intensity, forced Uganda into several mistakes and found more consistency in their attacking play. Their improved performance allowed them to outscore the She Cranes 18-13 in the quarter, turning the match around and heading into the halftime break with a 31-28 lead.

Despite trailing at the interval, Uganda refused to lose focus and returned to the court with renewed determination. The turning point arrived early in the third quarter when Mary Nuba Cholhok produced a moment of brilliance, scoring three consecutive goals to immediately lift the team’s confidence. Her calm finishing under pressure provided Uganda with the platform they needed to regain control of the contest.

The She Cranes continued their surge with a decisive 5-0 scoring run that completely changed the momentum of the match. Their defensive pressure intensified, forcing Wales into rushed decisions, while Uganda’s attacking unit capitalised on every opportunity created. The third quarter belonged to the She Cranes, who outscored Wales 17-8 to overturn the deficit and enter the final period with a commanding 45-39 lead.

Having taken control of the game, Uganda displayed remarkable maturity in the final quarter as Wales attempted to mount another comeback. The She Cranes remained calm under pressure, maintained possession effectively and defended with determination to protect their advantage. Although late turnovers created moments of tension, Uganda’s experience and composure ensured they held on to secure a memorable 59-50 victory at the final whistle.

Goal Attack Shadiah Nassanga was the star performer in Uganda’s attacking department, delivering a flawless shooting display that underlined her importance to the team. Nassanga converted all 27 of her attempts, finishing with an outstanding 27 goals from 27 shots and providing the consistency Uganda needed throughout the contest.

Mary Nuba Cholhok also played a crucial role in Uganda’s success, contributing 23 goals after making her presence felt during the team’s second-half revival. Alice Isoto added nine goals before making way for Nuba, with Uganda’s shooting department proving decisive in overcoming Wales’ defensive challenge.

Away from the shooting circle, the She Cranes received significant contributions from the rest of the squad. Margaret Baagala made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, registering 21 assists and an interception to strengthen Uganda’s attacking movement and defensive transition. Wing Attacker Rachael Nanyonga and Joan Ryekoboth (Center) also played important roles, each providing 10 assists as they helped maintain Uganda’s attacking rhythm.

Wales relied heavily on the outstanding efforts of Georgia Rowe, who led their scoring charts with an impressive 31 goals. However, her individual brilliance could not inspire a Welsh comeback as Uganda’s collective performance proved stronger. The result saw the sixth-ranked She Cranes defeat the world number seven side in a match that showcased Uganda’s growing reputation among the elite teams in international netball.

Head coach Rashid Mubiru and his technical team will be delighted with the character shown by the players, particularly their ability to respond after falling behind at halftime. The tactical adjustments made during the break transformed the game, with Uganda becoming more aggressive in defence, more accurate in attack and more composed in possession during the decisive stages.

The She Cranes started the match with Alice Isoto (GS), Shadiah Nassanga (GA), Rachael Nanyonga (WA), Joan Ryekoboth (C), Nassim Mutesi (WD), Gloria Ayaa (GD) and Shaffie Nalwanja (GK). The substitutes were Lilian Achola, Margaret Baagala, Mercy Batamuliza, Mary Nuba and Haniisha Muhameed, who all contributed to Uganda’s successful opening performance.

Uganda’s attention now shifts to their next Group B assignment against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, before facing Jamaica, New Zealand and Scotland in their remaining pool matches. Following an impressive opening victory, the She Cranes will be determined to maintain their momentum and continue their pursuit of a historic Commonwealth Games campaign.