It was a runaway train – Namibia netball coach after losing to Uganda

Namibia coach struggles for answers after Uganda loss

JOHANNESBURG, March 30 (ANA) – Namibia assistant coach Chrisna Lombard was left disappointed after her team were steamrolled 52-27 by a powerful Ugandan side in their women’s Spar Challenge Tri-Nations netball tournament at the Cape Town International Conference Centre on Monday.

“It was a runaway train,” said Namibian assistant coach Chrisna Lombard.

“It was a disappointing performance. They just didn’t stick to the game plan we had worked out. We did well in the last quarter, but it was too little too late.”

The Most Valued Player, Ugandan goalkeeper Shaffie Nalwanja, said her team had expected a bigger challenge from Namibia.

“But what we really want to do is to beat the Proteas (South Africa) in our final game on Wednesday.”

The Proteas lead the three-match series 2-0.

Earlier, the President’s XII bounced back from their defeat at the hands of the Baby Proteas  on Sunday to beat the Under-21 side 52-46 in the curtain-raiser match. It was the fourth match between the two teams.

The President’s XII has won three and the Baby Proteas one.

President’s XII coach Jenny van Dyk  said: “Both teams are suffering bitter disappointments.

“The President’s XII because many of them thought this was their opportunity to grab a spot in the national team, and the Baby Proteas because the World Youth Cup in Fiji has been cancelled. So both teams have something to prove

“What has pleased me is that instead of trying to show why they should have been chosen for the national team, my players have gelled and worked for one another.”

She also praised the Baby Proteas, saying there were many talented players coming through.

The Baby Proteas and the President’s XII meet for the fifth time on Tuesday afternoon, before the Test match between the Proteas and Namibia at 6pm. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman