KAMPALA (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Uganda head coach Mandy Juruni has announced a 13-man preliminary list ahead of preparations for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 set for September 8-16 in Senegal and Tunisia. 

The Silverbacks will camp in the Egyptian city of Alexandria for a fortnight from August 23-September 6 and are scheduled to play three friendly games against local sides as they prepare for their second appearance at Africa's premier basketball showdown. 

"Our target is to get out of the group stages and go to Tunis and from there we will see what happens." - Juruni

Juruni has maintained his captain Stephen Omony as well as the dependable Stanley Ocitti whose resounding statistics at the 2015 edition were a positive note for Uganda who were making their debut. 

Shooting guard Robinson Odoch Opong headlines the foreign-based contingent along with A'darius Pegues who featured at the Zone 5 Qualifiers in Cairo as well as youngster Samuel Kalwanyi who features for Wayland Baptist University in Texas, USA. 

In an exclusive interview with FIBA.basketball, Juruni said: "We have a good working relationship with some agents over there who organize for us friendly games and good facilities for us to prepare well." Juruni showed confidence in the inclusion of Opong and said that he will bring experience and competition to the team. "He is a good perimeter player with all options."

Uganda finished 15th in Tunisia two years ago and according to Juruni, the Silverbacks are targeting to win more games at this year's edition and better their 1-4 win ratio. 

"Preparations are key to having a good tournament. This time round, all teams are well prepared so having a good camp will help us have a good tournament. Our target is to get out of the group stages and go to Tunis and from there we will see what happens," Juruni told FIBA.basketball.

Uganda was drawn in Group A along with 11-time record winners Angola, Morocco and Central African Republic. 

FIBA