2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket | Results

Friday, July 28, 2023

• Mali 80-66 Uganda

Uganda Women’s National Basketball, the Gazelles suffered a 66-80 loss to Mali in the 2023 FIBA Women Afrobasket at BK Arena Kigali in Rwanda on Friday evening.

It was a false start for the Gazelles in their opening game but will walk away with a number of lessons after an entertaining duel with Africa’s number two, Mali.

It was not the best show for Alberto Antuna’s troops on the continental stage as they failed to contain the pressure from the African giants.

They gave away points due to careless turnovers, poor ball handling and a couple of errors on the court. The Gazelles struggled to beat Mali’s high court press.

Supported by a sizeable number of fans, Uganda started the game on the right note leading the first quarter 19-16 but later fell behind to four points (37-33) after the halftime whistle.

Mali’s experience was shown as they showed up when it mattered most. They made sure that they created the gap in the second half punishing the Gazelles each time they faltered.

Mali’s Djeneba N’Diaye scored a game-high of 25 points and Fatoumata Sanou added 15 points to ensure they see off Uganda.

On the other hand, Jannon Otto led Uganda’s scoring board with 19 points while Brenda Ekone and Claire Lamunu added 12 and 10 to post double figures.

Next on the menu, Uganda will be facing yet other African giant Senegal.

Federations of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has postponed National Basketball League (NBL) games.

The development was made to allow all stakeholders be able to fully support the Gazelles that will be taking part of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023 .

The continental showdown will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from July 28 to August 6 in the ongoing year.

According to the letter dispatched by Hudson Ssegamwenge, the General Secretary of FUBA.

“The Senior National Women’s Team (Gazelles) is schedules to take part in the upcoming FIBA Women’s Afrobasket championship on the 28th of July 2023 to the 6th of August 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda,” the letter partly read.

According to the letter, the league games before July 28 will go on as scheduled and later the break will get underway.

“This serves to inform all teams, club presidents, team managers, athletes, FUBA officials and all other stakeholders that the Senior National Women’s Team is scheduled to take part in the Afrobasket,” the letter added.

“Therefore, all different league fixtures across all divisions scheduled to take place between July 27 to August 7 2023 are hereby postponed to enable the basketball fraternity fully support the team. All league activities shall resume on August 8 2023,” it concluded.

In the Afrobasket, the Gazelles are pooled in group C alongside Mali and Senegal.

Their fast outing will be against Mali on July 29 before taking on Mali a day later at the fascinating BK Kigali Arena in Rwanda.

Team Uganda management has named a team of 19 ladies to kick-start preparations ahead of the FIBA Afrobasket finals.

The provisional squad is made up of 10 locally based players and the other nine are based outside the boundaries.

The selected 10 that play in the National Basketball League are the same that took part in the Zone V Championship that was played in February earlier this year.

JKL takes the biggest portion of the cake with six players namely Rita Imanishimwe, Flavia Oketcho, Brenda Ekone, Evelyne Nakiyingi and Hope Akello.

Bridget Aber, Shakira Nanvubya and Sheila Lamunu of UCU take up the other spots while Sarah Ageno of JT Lady Jaguars takes the last spot of the home-based players.

The foreign-based players are led by Janon Otto and Maria Najjuma who return to the squad after a thrilling show in the Zone V Championships.

Jamila Nansikombi, Lydia Babirye, Mellisa Akullu, and Jane Asinde will also bring their experience from College basketball to fight and take up slots onto the final sheet.

The technical team has remained intact. Alberto Atuna will be the head coach assisted by Nicholas Natuhereza and Mavita Ali.

Vicky Ntale (Team Manager), Vincent Etyang (Team Doctor) and Juan Ferreira (Video Coordinator) will beef up the backroom staff.

The preparations ahead of the grand stage will kick start on Sunday, July 2 with sessions at Lugogo Indoor Stadium and Africa Bible University, Lubowa.

On July 15, 2023, the final selected team will then head into a residential camp in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Gazelles will make their third appearance on the continent after debuting in 1997 and later in 2015.

The Summoned players

Evelyn Nakiyingi (JKL Dolphins)

Flavia Oketcho (JKL Dolphins)

Rita Imanishimwe (JKL Dolphins)

Hope Akello (JKL Dolphins)

Brenda Ekone (JKL Dolphins)

Leticia Awor (JKL Dolphins)

Shakira Nanvubya (UCU Lady Cardinals)

Bridget Aber (UCU Lady Cardinal)

Sheila Lamunu (UCU Lady Cardinals)

Sarah Ageno (JT Lady Jaguars)

Janon Otto (Eastern M-AUS)

Victoria Mukisa (Simpson College)

Lydia Babirye (Victoria Christian H/S)

Jamila Nansikombi (Troy University)

Priscilla Abby (Grayson College)

Jane Asinde (U-Tep)

Mellisa Akullo (Vanguard University)

Maria Najjuma