Uganda sink Guinea who drop to 0-2

    Game Report

    This was Uganda's second win in a row over the much-improved Guinea, who stunned Angola in 2023 to reach their first ever Quarters since 1994.

    ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Reigning Zone 5 champions Uganda have opened their 2025 Women's AfroBasket Group C campaign on a high, easily seeing off Guinea 88-51.

    This was the third meeting between the two teams in the competition, with previous wins shared: Guinea beat Uganda 53-52 in 2015 for ninth place, and the East Africans returned the favor in 2023 with an 85-44 victory for seventh place.

    The Uganda Gazelles lived up to expectations, having been predicted to win with 73.1% odds. They are looking to build on their finish in the last edition, which was their best since their debut in 1997.

    This is Guinea's second loss in two 2025 Women's AfroBasket games. However, despite the loss, Guinea now faces a do-or-die game in the Classification Round for the quarterfinals.

    TURNING POINT: Guinea looked threatening after opening their campaign for a first win with back-to-back treys off Batouly Camara and Fatoumata Jallow to lead 6-2 and further 9-4. Uganda came back to snatch the West African's short-lived lead at 12-11. 

    The game was still within reach for the Guineans after trailing 24-19 in the opening quarter. However, they allowed the Ugandan to extend the lead to 10 (29-19) in the opening two minutes of the second stanza

    Despite making it a five-point game (31-26) half way through the stanza, Uganda went on a 14-point run while restricting Guinea to 5 and Malick Kone's had no response. 

    A 22-0 run in the opening six minutes of the third quarter just but sealed the deal for the East Africans. 

    GAME HERO: There was no doubt that Zone 5 MVP Jane Asinde would show up in a big way for her country, but it was Portugal-based Melissa Akullu who stole the show in Abidjan, dropping a massive 26 points and seven rebounds in the win. Asinde was the other player to hit double digits on 15, adding 7 assist and 5 rebounds to her tally.

    STATS DON'T LIE: Uganda dominated the paint 46-12. However, their biggest contribution came off points from turnovers as they punished Guinea's 39, 16 in the opening half, to score 48 against 10 for the West Africans off 17 of Uganda ball handling mistakes. Uganda's bench also outscored Guinea 32-3 with the fast break points battle going to the Zone Five champions as well in a 28-3 show. A third quarter 22-0 run for Uganda also did Guinea in. BOTTOM LINE: Uganda are facing their toughest test in the Group Phase when they are on Senegal on Monday. Today's win was crucial for the Nicholas Natuhereza-led side as it gives them the opportunity to qualify for the Quarters automatically, should they hold their own against Senegal, just like they did in 2023.

    Guinea, meanwhile, have the Round of 16 giving them a lifeline to the Last Eight after losing both group phase games. WHAT THEY SAID: "Our coaching staff had prepared us well before the tournament and we knew we needed to secure the win in this match because we play Senegal next and from then on we meet tougher teams. We came with that mindset, found each other and I'm glad we got the win. We beat Senegal in 2023 but this a different team and the game has grown. We are coming with a new mindset. We want to take care of the little things, follow the game plan, rebound, execute on both defense and offense and with that we will be able to compete tomorrow," - Uganda Center Melissa Akullu.

    FIBA

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