Lilongwe, Malawi, December 15, 2025 — Uganda’s She Cranes fell short in their bid for continental glory after losing 56–34 to South Africa in the final of the 2025 Africa Netball Cup played in Lilongwe.
South Africa produced a dominant performance to retain their title, controlling the match from the opening quarter and exposing gaps Uganda will need to address to consistently challenge Africa’s top side.
The Proteas set the tone early, racing to a 15–7 lead by the end of the first quarter. Intense defensive pressure forced Uganda into several uncharacteristic errors, including footwork violations and misplaced passes, which disrupted the She Cranes’ attacking flow.
South Africa continued to dictate play in the second quarter, extending their advantage to 27–16 at halftime. Uganda struggled to break through a well-organised defensive unit, while South Africa capitalised on turnovers with clinical finishing.
Uganda’s technical team made several changes after the break in an effort to spark a comeback, but South Africa maintained control. By the end of the third quarter, the score stood at 43–26, leaving Uganda with a steep task heading into the final period.
Although the She Cranes showed improved intensity in the closing quarter, South Africa professionally managed the game to seal a comprehensive 22-goal victory.
The defeat came just weeks after Uganda’s unbeaten Celtic Cup triumph in Scotland, where the She Cranes claimed their first major international title. The Africa Cup final, however, underlined the physical and tactical demands of competing against Africa’s elite.
Turnovers proved costly for Uganda, with unforced errors gifting South Africa scoring opportunities. The Proteas’ defensive structure limited quality supply to Uganda’s shooters, while their superior conditioning allowed them to dominate the midcourt battle as the match progressed.
Despite the loss, Uganda finished the tournament as runners-up, confirming their position among Africa’s leading netball nations.
Speaking after the match, team officials said the defeat provided important lessons.
“This result shows us the level required to consistently compete with the best in Africa,” an official said. “It is disappointing, but it gives us clear areas to improve.”
The She Cranes end the 2025 season with mixed but encouraging results, having won the Celtic Cup in Scotland and secured silver at the Africa Cup. Netball Uganda officials believe the experience gained from competing at the highest level will be vital as the team prepares for future continental and international assignments.
