From allafrica.com
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Uganda has replaced her national basketball teams' coaches, with just two days to the tip-off of the All Africa Games qualifiers/Zone V championship.

The regional tournament, which has drawn top teams like Egypt and Kenya, tips off today at Kigali's Amahoro Stadium.


The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) whose boss Ambrose Tashobya assumed office last Sunday announced Timothy Odeke and Hamza Nyambongo as new coaches for the men and women's national teams respectively.

Mr. Odeke replaces veteran player/experienced coach Robert Ndamagye while Nyambongo takes over from Yunus Nkutu.

Tashobya who confirmed the changes Wednesday, said Odeke and Nyambongo's appointments take immediate effect and they will be in charge of both teams in Kigali.

However, Tashobya and his 6-day, all-new executives, have had their decision of making quick and sweeping changes criticised by the local baseketball fraternity. Pundits say Tashobya should have enforced gradual changes.

Already, Tashobya's executive is faced with financial problems, and were not sure by Thursday whether or how the national teams would make it to Kigali for the Zone V championships. There was no any money on the Fuba account to run the federation activities, Tashobya said, but added that 'last-minute efforts were being made to secure funds for the teams to make the trip.'

If Uganda fails to compete in Kigali, Fuba would face the wrath of world governing body, Fiba, with either a fine or ban on the country.

The tournament in Kigali has already been hit by a number of withdrawals that include Tanzania, Djibouti, Eritrea, Zanzibar and Sudan, leaving hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia and, probably Uganda.