Netball She Cranes raring to go at 2019 Netball World Cup

By D'zyre Derekford Mugumisa

World Number 6, the netball She Cranes of Uganda, are raring to go for Friday's opener of the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England, when they play the hosts at 10pm EAT.

The team, who managed an hour of training and acclimatisation at the hosting M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool on Wednesday, are "excited, focussed and just waiting for D-Day," according to experienced Goal Keeper, Muhayimina Namuwaya.

"Everyone is planning, thinking of what she will do (vs. England)," Muhayimina added.

The Vincent Kiwanuka coached Uganda are pooled alongside England, Samoa and Scotland.

Having arrived in Liverpool last Saturday, the girls embarked on further training immediately.

Jocelyn Ucanda, longtime team manager for the She Cranes, is optimistic the girls will have enough to get the all needed victory against the England Roses.

"We know we're playing a very big team, but that doesn't make us underdogs," Ucanda said, adding that, "we have what it takes to beat England. We're now World Number 6 and can improve our ranking here."

Getting ranked Number 6 in the world, Ucanda believes, brought morale into the camp to even do better, with the target being winning the World Cup for a chance to become World Number 1.

Sports State Minister, Charles Bakkabulindi and National Council of Sports chairman, Bernard Ogwel, also joined the girls to further offer support.

The She Cranes are reigning African champions, and after England on Friday, will face Samoa on Saturday and then Scotland on Sunday.