She Cranes Seek Second Victory as Trinidad and Tobago Test Awaits in Glasgow

Uganda’s She Cranes return to Commonwealth Games action tonight with renewed confidence and a clear objective: to build on their impressive opening victory and take another step towards the medal rounds. The Ugandan side faces Trinidad and Tobago in their second Group B encounter at the Hydro in Glasgow, with the match scheduled for 9:00 p.m. East African Time. After overcoming Wales in a dramatic opening contest, the She Cranes will be aiming to maintain their momentum in one of the toughest groups at the tournament.

The opening victory over Wales was a true test of Uganda’s character, experience and ability to respond under pressure. The She Cranes secured a 59-50 triumph, but the final scoreline does not fully reflect the intensity of a contest that saw both teams enjoy periods of dominance. Uganda were forced to dig deep after Wales challenged their rhythm, making the victory even more significant as the team demonstrated the resilience required to compete at the highest level.

Uganda began the match with purpose, taking the first quarter 15-13 as they looked to establish early authority. The She Cranes moved the ball confidently and showed glimpses of their attacking quality, but Wales refused to be overwhelmed. The Welsh side responded with greater intensity in the second quarter, applying pressure across the court and capitalising on Uganda’s mistakes to turn the game around. By halftime, Wales had taken a 31-28 lead, temporarily shifting the momentum in their favour.

The turning point arrived shortly after the restart when head coach Rashid Mubiru made bold tactical adjustments that changed the direction of the contest. Recognising the need for greater balance and energy, Mubiru introduced Margret Baagala, Mary Nuba Cholhok and Hanisha Muhammad, replacing Winnie Isoto, Joan Ryekoboth and Nasim Mutesi in a calculated reshuffle designed to strengthen Uganda’s structure.

The introduction of Hanisha Muhammad proved particularly influential. Moving into the Goal Keeper position, Muhammad immediately brought stability and authority to Uganda’s defensive unit, disrupting Wales’ attacking patterns and creating opportunities for quick transitions. The adjustment also allowed Shafie Nalwanjja to move into Wing Defence, where her defensive pressure and mobility helped tighten Uganda’s organisation across the court.

The tactical changes transformed Uganda’s performance, injecting fresh energy into a side that had been searching for control. The She Cranes became more aggressive defensively, more patient in possession and more effective in attack, gradually reclaiming the momentum that Wales had built during the second quarter.

At the heart of Uganda’s attacking success was Goal Attack Shadiah Nassanga, who delivered one of the most outstanding individual performances of the match. Nassanga was exceptional under pressure, producing a flawless shooting display as she converted all 27 of her attempts. Her perfect record of 27 goals from 27 shots provided Uganda with the consistency and confidence needed during crucial moments.

Mary Cholhok Nuba also played a decisive role in Uganda’s turnaround, contributing 23 goals after making a strong impact in the second half. Her movement, accuracy and ability to create scoring opportunities added another dimension to Uganda’s attack, while Alice Isoto contributed nine goals before making way as the She Cranes’ shooting department proved too strong for Wales to contain.

Away from the shooting circle, Uganda received important contributions from players who controlled the flow and tempo of the game. Margret Baagala made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, producing 21 assists and an interception to strengthen both Uganda’s attacking transitions and defensive recovery. Rachael Nanyonga (WA) and Joan Ryekoboth (C) also played crucial roles, each registering 10 assists as they maintained Uganda’s attacking rhythm and created opportunities for the shooters.

By the end of the third quarter, Uganda had completed a remarkable turnaround, moving from a three-goal halftime deficit to a 45-39 advantage. The final quarter then became a demonstration of composure, as the She Cranes managed the game intelligently, protected their lead and closed out a valuable 59-50 victory.

The result provided an important confidence boost for Uganda and highlighted the qualities that have made the She Cranes one of the most respected teams in world netball. Their ability to adapt tactically, rely on their squad depth and perform under pressure showed the maturity of a team with genuine ambitions at the Commonwealth Games.

However, Uganda understands that the road ahead will become even more demanding. Trinidad and Tobago present a different challenge, with a talented and athletic squad capable of testing Uganda’s defensive organisation and forcing the She Cranes to maintain their highest level throughout the contest.

For coach Rashid Mubiru and his technical team, the focus will be on building from the positives of the Wales victory while making the necessary improvements. The She Cranes will look to start strongly, maintain defensive discipline and continue maximising their attacking opportunities against another competitive opponent.

Uganda’s position in Group B leaves little room for complacency. With defending champions Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Scotland and Trinidad and Tobago all competing in the same pool, every result carries enormous importance. Securing another victory would place Uganda in a stronger position as they continue their journey towards the knockout stages.

Following the Trinidad and Tobago encounter, the She Cranes will face another major examination against Jamaica on Monday, July 27, before completing the preliminary stage against New Zealand on Tuesday, July 28. Each fixture will provide another opportunity for Uganda to measure themselves against the world’s best teams.

As they step onto the Hydro court tonight, the She Cranes will once again carry the hopes and pride of millions of Ugandan supporters. After a spirited comeback against Wales, Uganda has shown that it possesses the quality and determination to challenge the best, and victory over Trinidad and Tobago would further strengthen their dream of making a historic impact at the Commonwealth Games.