Uganda revamp coaching team ahead of AfroBasket 2015

KAMPALA (AfroBasket 2015) - Uganda are making sure their AfroBasket 2015 campaign does not go unnoticed, making an adjustments at the coaching position.

Head coach Mandy Juruni and his assistant Gad Eteu remain with the team, but will be joined by Paul Johnson, an American tactician who has worked in a volunteering basketball programme in the country two years ago.

Uganda made history last summer in their capital city of Kampala after finishing second in the FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifier, behind Egypt, who had just returned from the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In the process, Rwanda, Kenya and Somalia missed out on the qualification for Africa's most prestigious tournament.

When this year's edition of the AfroBasket tips off in the Tunisian cities of Nabeul and Tunis, Uganda will play in Group A, taking on the host nation, Nigeria and a team to be determined through a wild card process.

Ambrose Tashobya, the Uganda Basketball Federation (FUBA) chairman, might have thought that AfroBasket 2015 would be a major challenge for his 'Silverbacks', and decided boost their coaching team, bringing in Johnson, who is expected to "add that maturity and improve our decision making", according to the official.

"His experience and a whole mature outlook will help us on the big stage," Tashobya told local newspaper Daily Monitor.

Johnson is not coming here to take over. Mandy and Gad remain as men’s national team coaches - Tashobya

Assistant coach Eteu welcomed the initiative, explaining why Johnson should be a valuable asset for the Silverbacks.

"Paul Johnson adds to what we already have," he said.

"He brings in another view that makes us more dynamic and solid.

"The good thing with him is that he is respectful to everyone and is very passionate about the assignment. We love him for that and the players love him for that."

This year's AfroBasket marks Uganda's return to the African scene, for the first time since 1970.

Although football remains the number one sport in the country, the qualification for Tunisia 2015 was marked by jubilation throughout the country, showing how popular the game has become since its introduction by American Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s.

And a number of basketball enthusiasts are making sure to take Uganda basketball to the next level.

As well as joining the Silverbacks' coaching team, Johnson is expected to assist the staff of the country's women's national team, which consists of Timothy Odeke, Nimrod Kaboha and Ali Mavita.

The 'Gazelles' will make their continental debut at AfroBasket Women 2015 in Yaounde, Cameroon (24 September-3 October).

FIBA