KAMPALA (Uganda) - The Uganda Gazelles have a realistic chance of making it to the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, according to head coach Nicholas Natuhereza.
But before they book their ticket to the festival in West Africa, there is a battle to be won.
The FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifiers, to be held at the Hassan Mostafa Arena in Cairo, Egypt, from 3-8 February, will be fiercely contested.
They will be pitted against hosts and reigning champions Egypt, Burundi, who are returning after their last appearance in 2013, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda.
Rwanda earned a direct ticket to the finals in Abidjan from 24 July to 3 August by finishing fourth at the 2023 event, which will be held on home soil in Kigali.
Natuhereza combines experience and youth
Speaking after the team's opening training session in the capital Kampala, the tactician said the team had a mix of experienced and new players.
"I think one of the things we are trying to do is to bridge the gap between the U18s and the senior players. The outstanding U18 players are always given an opportunity to be with the senior team whether they make the squad or not," he said.
The squad, he noted, is a little stronger than the one that qualified for the last tournament in Rwanda.
"This time we have almost five players who play their basketball outside Uganda, so I think that gives us a better chance in terms of experience and exposure because I think the teams we are going to play will have that on their side."
The team, he added, is better in terms of personnel. "Our job as coaches is to make sure we get the best out of them."
Natuhereza, who took over from Goran Lojo, is not new to the position, having coached the team in the regional women's AfroBasket 2017 qualifiers in Cairo. He also held the position of assistant coach. He will be assisted by Julius Lutwama.
Asinde to lead Gazelles charge
Newly-appointed captain Jane Asinde is relishing her new role in the team and says the injection of young girls into the squad is always good for the team.
"Just being out here and learning from people with a little bit of experience and then getting the confidence and knowing that they can play at any level. It's always good to have them around to keep us fit.
"At the moment we have a different squad. We just have to keep building on what we have and trust the coach," she offered.
The forward is expected to team up well with the experienced trio of Melissa Akulu, Claire Lamunu and Hope Akello to lead the Gazelles' charge.
She will be looking to fill the void left by the team's long-serving captain Flavia Oketcho. The playmaker retired from national duty after last year's Women's AfroBasket finals.
Also missing due to injury is Janon Otto, who was outstanding in both the qualifiers and the Women's AfroBasket tournament in Kigali, where she finished as the top scorer with 128 points.
The promising Maxine Anyango, a member of the Junior Gazelles team that participated in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket in South Africa last year, has been included in the squad.
The Gazelles did their best in the 2024 qualifiers on home soil, finishing runners-up to Egypt. They have gained a lot of ground and made good progress over the years.
FUBA President names squad
The 15-man provisional squad announced by Federation of Uganda Basketball (FUBA) president Nasser Sserunjogi on 20 February is training at MTN Lugogo Arena.
Appointing Natuhereza to the position, Sserungoji said: "We have a lot of confidence and faith in him because he is an experienced coach."
Uganda finished seventh at the continental showpiece across the border in Kigali. They remain convinced they have the muscle to go further this time around.
The provisional squad
The 15-man provisional squad is made up of: Jane Asinde, Hope Akello, Paige Robinson, Shahira Nanvubya, Perus Nyamwenge, Sheila Lamunu, Maxine Anyango, Jamila Nansikombi, Agatha Kamwada, Zoe Atek, Sarah Namale, Mellisa Akullo, Sharon Kirabo, Becky Longom and Claire Lamunu.
FIBA