Saturday, April 29
*Prisons 46-41 KCCA
*NIC 48-45 Weyonje
*UCU 44-41 Police
*Mutlex Life Sport 46-36 Busia Greater Lions
*UPDF 52- 46 African Renewal University
Prisons beat KCCA 46-41 at Kamokya TLC to win this year’s National Netball Super League on last day of the season with 38 points.
In a closely contested title decider and the final encounter of the league, Prisons proved the better side against KCCA who started the day on top.
It’s title number four for the Prison Warders who previously won it in 2009, 2017 and 2018.
And it has been a remarkable comeback for Prison who opened their title chances a week back having beaten defending champions NIC.
It’s a cruel ending for KCCA who spent almost the entire season atop, and their search for a maiden league title will continue for another season.
After tight proceedings in the three opening quarter, Prisons shifted the momentum and showed experience mixed with class to finally win it in the final quarter.
And it’s safe to say, the championship was won in the final quarter as Prisons took the revenge as well following a 45-48 defeat in their first round meeting.
With KCCA center pass, the final quarter started with a two-goal gap at 34-32 in favour of Prisons, but the introduction of Sylvia Nanyonga in Wing Defence proved to be the ultimate game changer.
Senior player Nanyonga a good ball reader she is, made a couple of interceptions which proved too crucial for Prisons Championship surge.
She made an interception which saw Prisons open up a four-goal lead before another steal later on to stretch the lead to Six-goal cushion.
KCCA failed to compose themselves from thereafter and lost the league by 46-41.
Prison took the lead thru kcca blander and KCCA leveled thru Gk rebound steal to make it 4-4.
As expected, the game started strongly with high level of intensity which saw Irene Eyaru’s interception and a turnover saw kCCA open up a four goal gap halfway into first quarter before Prison fighting back to reduce the gap to just goal to end it 11-10
It was an eye for an eye but Prisons proved too strong in the mid court just before half time to take the lead at 20-21, thanks to Malisera Akello and Joyce Nakibuule’s patternship.
The start of the third quarter was no different untill Prison opened up a three goal gap towards the end of it thanks to Stella Nanfuka’s defensive skills, as they end the quarter by 32-34
Nanyonga introduction in wing defence in fourth quarter proved to be the game changer as lead the proceedings with four goal.
KCCA gave it up in last minutes with a couple of unforced errors to give in the league they have led for so long .
With 41-46 loss, KCCA finish second with 37 points, record champions NIC who has 22 titles finish third with 36 and Makindye Weyonje fourth with 29 points and they will again rub shoulders in East African club Championship in Nairobi Kenya in two weeks time.
Besides Prisons, NIC has won the league (22 times) since 1995, except in 1998 (Posta) and the two pandemic years in 2020 and 2021.
Lineups used
Prisons – Lilian Ajio-GD, Malisera Akello-WA, Viola Asingo-WD, Joyce Nakibuule-C, Christine Namulumba-GS, Stella Nanfuka-GK, Dorothy Tabia-GA
Subs – Sylvia Nanyonga, Sandra Namutebi, Juliet Nakafeero, Tausi Mumena, Janet Adong
KCCA- Nasanga Shadia-GS, Irene Eyaru-GA, Shafik Shaulah-C, Christine Nakito-GD, Prudence Nakato-WD, Hanissa Muhammad-GK, Lunkuse Norah-WA
Subs.
Fortunate Ngabiloch, Shafik Nalwanja, Fauzia Nakibuule, Annet Najjuka, Mercy Batamuliza.
