Bbale headlines Uganda squad for FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers preparations

KAMPALA (Uganda) - Teenage sensation Fayed Bbale has been named in a strong 18-man Uganda provisional squad for the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers that will be played from November 27-29 in Alexandria, Egypt. 

The 18-year old, who rose to prominence in his debut season last year in the topflight league at home guiding the UCU Canons to the Play-Offs Finals despite losing 4-3 to eventual champions City Oilers, has since earned the respect of basketball enthusiasts in the East African nation. 

Quick on his feet and equally a fast-paced matching thought process while pointing the ball has given Bbale a status that is usually preserved for experienced and older players. His inclusion on the Silverbacks side is therefore expected and timely at that. 

Uganda 18-player provisional squad for FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers
Joseph Ikong Anyuru	Fayed Bbale	Tony Drileba	Deng Geu
Samuel Kalwanyi	Syrus Kiviiri	Ben Komakech	David Deng Kongor
Emmanuel Mugenga	Stanley Mugerwa	Ivan Muhwezi	Innocent Ochera
Titus Lual Odeke	James Okello	Robinson Opong	Eric Rwahwire
Geoffrey Soro	Ishmail Wainwright

 

Bbale told FIBA.basketball that this is a life-changing moment. "This means a lot to me as a player to make it to the provisional squad on the national team. My target is to make it to the final list. I am honoured to be on the same list with players that I grew up watching. I am excited."

The 5ft5in (1.65m) point guard at some point attended the Hoops Academy owned by former league MVPs Ben Komakech and Jimmy Enabu and to practice with them on the Silverbacks side is a dream come true for Bbale who has committed to doing his very best with this opportunity. 

Uganda assistant coach Mandy Juruni will take charge of the training sessions starting October 6 at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in the capital of Kampala with the help of coaches Brian Wathum and Andrew Tendo. 

These sessions will engage the 12 home-based players with the ones who ply their trade outside the country expected to join the rest at a later stage. 

Nine-time league champion Ben Komakech, former MVP Jimmy Enabu, veteran Joseph Ikong and Geoffrey Soro will bring a touch of experience to the side while new faces like Innocent Ochera and Bbale are expected to give the team a new look. 

Enabu is crucial to the Silverbacks charge

Dependable 3x3 star Tony Drileba, U18 graduate Ivan Muhwezi and the enterprising Titus Lual Odeke are hoping to make a decent case for themselves as they have the potential to be the core of the next generation of this side. 

Robinson Opong, who along with Enabu topped the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers scoring charts after three windows in 2018, will bring a good vibe to the team's back court. 

Opong has been growing from strength to strength

Power forward Samuel Kalwanyi returns to the side after a two-year absence due to school commitments in the United States while new additions have been made including Ishmail Wainwright and Eric Rwahwire. Deng Geu will be hoping to build on his performance at the last AfroBasket in 2017 in Senegal. 

The Silverbacks will miss the services of captain and veteran Stephen Omony who is recovering from an injury as well as dependable point guard Jordin Mayes. 

Uganda were drawn with Egypt, Morocco and the winner of the Pre-Qualifiers tournament set to take place later this month in Yaounde, Cameroon. 

FIBA