TEAM PROFILE: Despite being in tough group, Uganda aim new heights with best ever squad
Nobody is putting their money on Uganda winning these two huge matches, but they are not at all cowed and with a good crowd expected to urge them on in Kigali, ‘the Gazelles’ are ready to make a huge leap
KAMPALA (Uganda) – Uganda will make the short trip to neighbouring Rwanda for the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket that throws off July 28 to August 5 at the Kigali’s BK Arena with only one thing in mind.
"The Gazelles", as the team is commonly known, will step on to the podium all set to improve on their performances in their only two appearances in the continental spectacle.
They have prepared well, they have a good number of diaspora-based players to bank on. They remain hopeful this time round.
Flavia Oketcho
Find below things that you should know about "The Gazelles".
Team: Uganda
Ranking: 80th in the world and 11th in Africa.
Last participation in Women's AfroBasket: 2015
Best result at the AfroBasket: Uganda made some strides in their second outing in 2015 in Yaounde, Cameroon, where they registered two victories. They blanked South Africa 55-43 and also piped Algeria 75-73 to finish tenth.
How they qualified for the AfroBasket: Uganda qualified as runners-up of the FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifiers where they lost to regional Egypt 74-56 in the Final at their own MTN Arena, Lugogo back yard.
Uganda's other loss came against Kenya, losing 61-53 in the opener. Earlier, they had squeezed a narrow 86-85 victory against Egypt in an energy sapping encounter.
Africa: Uganda haven't quite made a mark in the game on the continent after making their debut in Women’s AfroBasket in 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya. They lost all their four games to Kenya, Mali, Senegal and Cameroon by over 100 points.
2023 AfroBasket Group: Uganda are placed in Group C where they will face off against two powerhouse in 11-time winner Senegal and Mali who achieved their only continental title in 2007.
Star Players: The evergreen Flavia Oketcho still remains very much the motor that runs the Uganda engine. She orchestred the Zone 5 Qualifiers in Kampala alongside Jannon Otto.
Jannon Otto
The hard working Otto was a tower of power during regional show and brings both points and rebounds to the side. The experience and reputation of USA-based Claire Lamunu who remains a valuable asset in Uganda colors.
Oketch and Lamunu will be going for their third tournament and will pull with them local based players who are also key. They include Brenda Ekone, Rita Imanihimuwe and Evelyne Nakinyingi and Hope Akello.
New addition: Uganda are building a cream of young talent and some new bright lights who will show case their talents. They include -Maria Najjuma (New Mexico Junior College), Jane Asinde (University of Texas El Paso, Melissa Akullu (Vanguard University) and Lydia Babirye.
Alberto Antuna
Coach: Head coach Spaniard Alberto Antuna, who handled the team during the February Qualifiers, will again be calling the plays from the side.
Outlook: This time round, Uganda have probably unleash their best ever squad for the AfroBasket. But in Senegal and Mali, they have a real stumbling block and will have to fight fire with fire to move to the next phase of the tournament.
Nobody is putting their money on Uganda winning these two huge matches, but they are not at all cowed and with a good crowd expected to urge them on in Kigali, ‘the Gazelles’ are ready to make a huge leap forward.
FIBA