Uganda came from behind to beat the defending champions South Africa in the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Netball Championships finals at Makerere University.

Uganda claimed victory on Friday night with a narrow goal difference of 44 – 43 in the tension packed game that sealed the weeklong tournament that attracted seven teams.

Nkumba University student Mary Nuba, who plays as goal shooter converted three consecutive chances in the fourth quarter which gave Team Uganda victory.

“I feel so happy and excited. This is the best day in my life,” Nuba, a tall, dark skinned Ugandan of South Sudan origin says.

South Africa who surrendered the trophy they won in 2016 in Miami, USA, led the scoring in the second and third quarters of the game though the first quarter ended in a tie of 10 goals.

Uganda’s team captain, Irene Eyaru, a spectacular goal attacker became a key protagonist in the fourth quarter. Her long passes accurately landed into a 6ft and 7inches Mary Nuba who shot goals without any resistance from the opponents.

“South Africa has been a good team throughout the tournament. But when we drew 42- 42 in the morning, it gave me hope that we have potential to beat them in the finals,” a joyous Eyaru says.

In the same tournament, Singapore took the third place after beating Zimbabwe earlier in the afternoon.

The hosts (Uganda) remained unbeaten having won all their previous games with convincing margins. Here is how they have played in the tournament.

Uganda opened their campaign against USA on Monday, beating the Americans 102-16. Their second game was against Kenya on Tuesday whom they dismissed 105-15 before walloping Singapore 77-19 on the same day.

The Ugandan team ran riot against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, beating the South East Asian nation 133-24 before beating Zimbabwe 104-10 on Thursday.

The Ugandans faced a test on Friday, playing champions South Africa twice. The game in the morning, which was to complete round robin basis, ended in a stalemate with each side scoring 42 goals.

Team Uganda, however, controlled their nerves to beat the champions 44-43 in the finals to crown the event played in an incomplete netball facility at Makerere University.

The World University Netball Championship 2018 attracted seven teams including Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, United States of America, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

England, the champions of the first edition in 2012 in South Africa, did not turn up for the competition. Other teams that were expected in the tournament but pulled out were Jamaica, Namibia, Botswana and Australia.