KAMPALA (Uganda) - For the first time, the Uganda Gazelles are playing in consecutive Women’s AfroBasket tournaments. They are hoping to secure a spot in the semifinals as they compete against the best in Abidjan from July 26.
Having qualified as the top team in the Zone Five Qualifiers earlier this year, the Nicholas Natuhereza-led team hopes to build on that momentum and improve upon their seventh-place finish in Kigali in 2023.
The East Africans are relying heavily on the squad that competed in the qualifiers in Cairo. Captain and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jane Asinde is expected to lead the team.
Asinde was the Gazelles' undisputed leader in the qualifying matches, averaging 18.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in five games.
In the final against Zone Five powerhouse Egypt at home, she recorded a double-double with 19 points (three more than Paige Robinson) and 12 rebounds.
With five assists, two blocks, and a steal, she finished the campaign with a 23 efficiency rating. She went on to be named the competition's best power forward, in addition to receiving the MVP award.
Unlike in 2023, when Uganda was granted a wildcard entry, winning the qualifiers in Egypt has given them impetus and hunger for glory. Their exploits two years ago have added to their confidence.
The team pulled off an upset, beating the eventual silver medalists, Senegal, 85-83, in the group phase. However, they lost to Mali and had to play in the round of 16, where they defeated Congo DR, 78-62.
In the quarterfinals, the team coached by Alberto Antuna at the time fell to Rwanda 66-61 and were relegated to the classification games.
Looking to go the distance, Asinde and Robinson provide the much-needed leadership.
Asinde is Uganda’s second-best scorer in the qualifiers, averaging 15.8 points per game and achieving double-digit scores in all five matches. Robinson is making her debut in the premier African competition.
The experience of center player Claire Lamunu, power forward Hope Akello, Melissa Akullu, and shooting guard Jamila Nansikombi will also be an asset as Uganda looks to play its best tournament yet.
However, Coach Natuhereza will miss the services of Jannon Otto, the 2023 Women's AfroBasket top scorer, who averaged 21.3 points in Uganda's run for seventh place.
Before the 2023 seventh-place finish, Uganda had placed 10th in 2015 and ninth in its debut in 1997, when the competition was hosted in neighboring Nairobi, Kenya.
FIBA