CECILIA ZULU, Sydney, Australia
ZAMBIA 38 UGANDA 74
ZAMBIA’s campaign at the World Cup yesterday started on a bad note losing to Uganda at Netball Central.
The Zambians started with a bang and at some point led 3-0 in the first quarter but Uganda goal shooter Peace Proscovia, who plies her professional trade for English side Lightning Loughborough, scored four quick nets in a space of 10 minutes.
By the end of the first quarter, Uganda were up 22-10.
Zambia started the second quarter with vigour, Diana Banda and goal-attacker Lucy Jere taking things personal but failing to break the Uganda defence marshalled by Betty Namukasa and goalkeeper Alice Nanteza.
Skipper Proscovia continued tormenting the Zambians and Uganda led 18-11 at the end of the second quarter.
Defender Agnes Chingambo and goalkeeper Margaret Mutafela were too short for Proscovia.
Banda scored nine goals while Lucy Jere added 12 goals only for Uganda to lead 40-21.
After the break, Zambia coach Charles Zulu introduced Elizabeth Bwalya for Banda but the change did little to halt Uganda’s cruise.
Uganda won 15-9 at the end of the third quarter.
Proscovia was unstoppable and the East Africans won 19-8 in the fourth quarter for the final score to read 74-38.
Proscovia was voted player-of-the- match after scoring 56 goals out of 62 attempts.
Zulu expressed disappointment at the performance of the team.
“I am extremely disappointed. This is the worst result we have ever recorded against Uganda. Anyway, we have learnt a lesson. We will work on the mistakes and weaknesses exposed during the game,” Zulu said.
His counterpart, Rashid Mubiru, described the match as tough but was quick to mention that Uganda played better than Zambia.
In the other Pool D match, Wales beat Fiji 59-52 while Malawi edged South Africa 59-52 in a Pool C tie.
Zambia face Wales tomorrow while Fiji take on Uganda.