By: Kayiira Jackson
Uganda’s representatives in handball and Netball continue to sail well in the 13th Edition of the Eastern Africa University Games underway at Maseno University in Kenya.
The Netball defending champions, Kampala University won three out three of their group games and have qualified for the quarter finals.
The Jesse Assiimwe coached side got a boost when their captain who was in Namibia for the Africa Netball Championship with National team, Ayaa Gloria reported today (Tuesday) in Kenya.
With the current performance, Assiimwe is optimistic that Kampala University still have a higher of defending the trophy.
“We didn’t find huge challenge in the group stage games, we used them to identify our mistakes and how to improve them, I can say that it was a good training for us.” Said Jesse before adding. ” Yes a defending champion always has an upper hand to defend the title and I believe we can do so.”
Still in Netball, even without their head coach on touchline, UCU managed to win their three matches in group C and qualified to quarter finals and their captain, Linda Muzigo said that they want to win the trophy.
“Netball is a game of mistakes, we made a number of mistakes in 2022 which we are looking up to rectify and see that we win the title.” Linda Muzigo, captain UCU Netball team.
In their Inaugural Edition, Bugema University topped group B and their head coach, Bob Katongole is very optimistic that the trophy is going to Bugema asserting that other teams are not strong enough to stop him.
“This is our first time to feature in East Africa games but we have won all our group stage games and my girls are in shape to win this trophy.” Bob Katongole.
Away from Netball, in Handball, Kampala University, Ndejje and Makerere University in both men and women stormed the semi finals.
In their last Group stage fixtures, Kampala University lost to Ndejje University 22-21 in men category but due to better goal advantage, Kampala University managed to reach semis with the former.
In the same line, Makerere University lost to Kenyatta University but also qualified to semis.
After qualifying, Makerere University and Ndejje University shall meet in the semifinal with Kampala University staging a second semi against Kenyatta University.
Again in handball Women, Kampala University and Makerere University qualified to semis.
Kampala University tactician Ssemujju Frank believes that his two teams still have a chance to win the trophies despite the fact that in the last edition he won a bronze and a silver medal in women and men respectively.
Head coach of the defending champions Ndejje University, Hassan Silver also wants to defend his trophy.
The group stages for Netball, handball and football climaxed today and the knockout stage commencing tomorrow.
Handball results
Kampala University 21-22 Ndejje University (men)
Maseno University 18-25 Kampala University (Women)
Makerere University 22-10 United States International University (women)
Semifinal
Kampala University vs Kenyatta University (Men)
Ndejje University vs Makerere University (men)
Kenyatta University vs Makerere University (Women)
Kampala University vs Kyambogo University (women)
Netball results
Kampala University 89-23 University of Dar es Salaam
UCU 75-24 Kenyatta University
Kampala University 64-24 Makerere University
Bugema University 60-45 MUBS
UCU 71-10 University of Eldoret
Quarter finals
Kampala University (UG) Vs Kenyatta University (Ke)
Bugema University (UG) vs Kisii University (Ke)
UCU (Ug) vs Maseno University (Ke)
Makerere University (Ug) Vs MUBS (Ug)
Semi-final 1: Winner Q1 Vs Winner Q2, Semi final 2: Winners Q3 Vs Winner Q4
