By SANDRA MWILA –
Zambia 22 Uganda 28
ZAMBIA’S thin odds of qualifying for the 2016 World Youth Netball Championship hit a snag following defeat to Uganda on Tuesday at the ongoing Africa qualifiers in Botswana.
Having lost two games against South Africa 49-39 and Zimbabwe 46-24, Zambia seemed to have recovered after beating Botswana 42-35 but fell short against Uganda, as the Kelly Mwanza side has now recorded three losses.
The contest is being played on a round robin system with top three finalists joining hosts Botswana for the globe event to be held in Gaborone. Zambia has to beat Swaziland, Malawi, Namibia and Uganda and pray results elsewhere go their way to have a chance of qualifying.
Mwanza was left in shock after watching his side surrender a dominant two quarters lead. Zambia started the game on a high taking the first quarter 8-4 and continued with the same momentum in the second quarter that ended 14-10.
But the team went to sleep in the third quarter as the girls were overpowered by Uganda to trail 17-19 before eventually losing the tie.