The She Cranes camp had earlier on the same day been hit when winger Norah Lunkuse and defender Christine Namulumba were declared permanently unfit to play in the tournament due to injuries as their Viola Asingo and Sarah Nakiyunga were elevated from the reserves to take over their respective positions.
On the same day but during the match, several on-court changes were also made as a result of players feeling dizzy and Coach Fred Mugerwa revealed after the match that malaria had caused all the panic in the team. Goal shooter Mary Nuba was once again a pillar of strength for Uganda, playing the first three quarters and converting 42 of her 44 shots.
Both teams came out with the same seven in the second quarter and Coach Mugerwa, despite remaining unsatisfied with his side’s defensive effort, kept faith in Stella Nanfuka and Christine Nakitto as their work in the Wales circle kept them in the lead at 36-27 by half time.
Uganda made their first change just before halftime when Lillian Achola – the shortest (1.58cm) player at this World Cup, replaced Margret Baagala, who was suspected to be suffering from malaria, at centre.
Wales switched Ella Powell-Davies to goal defence and introduced Christina Shaw as goalkeeper in the third quarter in an effort to stem the flow of quality balls to Nuba. But the changes didn’t seem to bother the She Cranes star too much though as she continued with the business at hand – keeping her team in front.
At the other end of the court, Uganda defenders Nakitto and Falidah Kadondi, who had replaced Nanfuka, didn’t give the Welsh shooters any breathing space. They restricted their movement – keeping minimal scoring opportunities.
Having done enough to help her team to a healthy lead, Nuba remained on the bench at the start of the last 15 minutes as Asingo had replaced her under the post – with Baagala returning at the centre.
Mugerwa said after the match: “It’s good because that’s what we wanted. We didn’t want to lose a game to Wales because – first of all, it would spoil our ranking. We just wanted to have that game so we remain where we are.”
Mugerwa said that it was his wish that Baagala fully recovers from the suspected bout of malaria in order to play against South Africa this Thursday in Uganda’s last pool G match scheduled for 5:00 pm (EAT).
The Proteas forced a 48-all draw against defending champions – New Zealand and Coach Norma Plummer anticipated that their Thursday fixture against Uganda would be different.
“Uganda has been playing really well at this World Cup. They have a totally different style – different from what we had today, and we have to work around that. Hopefully, we can challenge them right to the end of the match,” she said.
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