CAIRO (Egypt) - Revenge mission accomplished! Uganda are the champions of the Women's AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers after a convincing 74-63 win over defending zone champions Egypt, a victory that booked them a flight to Abidjan for this year's continental competition.
Nicholas Natuhereza's Gazelles had lost 74-65 to the Egyptians in the final of the 2023 Zone Five qualifiers, then coached by Alberto Carlos, who was in Cairo this year with bronze medallists South Sudan, who reached the continental showpiece on a wild card.
Celebrations erupted after the final buzzer as the East Africans avenged their 65-62 group stage defeat.
Turning Point: After a close opening quarter, Uganda went on a 21-11 run in the second, restricting the hosts to five points, a basket with the rest coming off the free throw line, in the last seven minutes to gain an advantage that proved crucial. In the second half the East Africans kept their momentum for a 21-16 third quarter before the hosts took the final stanza 18-13 but it was too little too late to make a difference.
Game Hero: Skipper Jane Asinde has been the undisputed leader for the Gazelles and she showed up in the final, playing for double-double on 19 points, three more than Paige Robinson, and 12 rebounds.
Five assists, two blocks and a steal saw her finish the campaign with 23 in efficiency rating, going on to be named the competition's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Stats Don't Lie: Despite registering 28 turnovers against 17, Uganda still managed to score more from those (14-10).
For a side that prides itself in immaculate three-point shooting, Egypt were held to dropping just 4 of 29, Uganda going 6 of 17 in the victory. Egypt were out-rebounded 53-34 (37-22 on defense) with Uganda winning the points of the bench battle 18-11:' Bottom Line: Uganda are headed to this year's FIBA Women's AfroBasket as champions while the Egyptian side's hopes of a seventh straight appearance rest on landing a wild card.
They Said: "The first time I coached the national team in 2017 was here in Cairo and it was a tough tournament for us. We also lost to the same team in the final of the 2023 Qualifiers at home and it was tough to take. This feels sweeter winning in their backyard. I am happy for my team and proud of all the players for the work they have put in to win this Final game that has been a problem through these years," coach Nicholas Natuhereza.
"I can't explain the joy of being the captain and leading this team into victory. I am overwhelmed and grateful for the work we have to put in. I am grateful that we lost in the group phase match as we were able to correct our mistakes and come back ready to win it all," Jane Asinde.
FIBA