Uganda, Rwanda U16 teams join Final Round bandwagon

 

KIGALI (Rwanda) - Uganda's Junior Silverbacks have joined the Junior Gazelles in qualifying for this year’s African U16 Championships.

The Michael Seger-coached Ugandan side was joined by hosts Rwanda in the women’s U16 category from zone 5 in bagging their slots after a three-day battle at the qualifier held in Kigali, Rwanda.

Junior Silverbacks went up against Rwanda and Tanzania for the sole ticket in the men’s category.

Up against Rwanda in the opening match played on Wednesday, 28 June, the visitors held their own under immense pressure on and off the court to grab a 59-56 clutch victory.

Tijan Joel Rugette was Uganda's revelation to the rest of the continent as the youngster exploded for a match-high 27 points, adding 13 rebounds and ten fouls drawn to aid his side get their campaign off on the right footing.

Rwanda's Juru Cedrick led the charts for his side with a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds as Joseph Nshimiye top scored for the side at 16.

In their second match against Tanzania, the Ugandan's had a field day against a six-man Tanzanian squad for a massive 116-49 win that put their hands firmly on the slot to play in the Final Round set for Tunisia from 13 to 23 July.

Rugette and Zuri Owiny were the stars in the match, scoring 21 and 20 points respectively while grabbing 10 rebounds each in a dominant show of might.

RWANDA QUALIFY FOR THE 2023 U16 WOMEN'S AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Meanwhile, Jacques Bahige-led Rwandese Women qualified by the skin of their teeth as they bagged a 66-65 victory against Raymond Ngezi's Tanzania.

For the win, Emlyne Iragena scored 20 with 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals as Lilian Ingabire added 18 points to the tally. Tetanus Nicole had 13 points and 10 rebounds with 3 assists and 4 steals in 26:37 minutes.

Ngezi's side had Elizabeth Laizer who played the entire match scoring 20 points while picking 23 rebounds and three steals.

She led two other teammates to double-doubles with dominance on the boards as skipper Upendo Katamboi scored 15 with a similar number of rebounds. 

Namnyaki Mollel scored 11 in the 40 minutes she was on the court and picked 18 rebounds. Magdalena Fredy made 10 points and 9 rebounds while Nasinyari Roine gave 9 points and 11 rebounds with 6 assists.

FIBA