The Uganda Gazelles have made their mark in the ongoing FIBA Zone V Women’s Afrobasket Qualifiers, booking a place in the final after a commanding 60-30 victory over Burundi on Thursday evening at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo, Egypt.
The win not only secured their spot in the final but also set up a crucial showdown against Egypt on Saturday, with the winner earning automatic qualification for the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Despite the impressive scoreline, Uganda’s Head Coach, Nick Natuhereza, was quick to address the team’s slow start in the game.
According to Natuhereza, the players’ initial excitement and possible overconfidence led to a lacklustre beginning.
“We had a slow start, maybe the girls were thinking we had already done the job and were also a bit excited,” he said.
However, he was pleased with how the team regrouped and adapted to secure the win.
“I’m glad we were ready to regroup and put ourselves in a position to get a win and a place in the final.”
In the game, Natuhereza opted to rest some key players and rotate the squad to give other members a chance to contribute.
This decision allowed the younger players to step up, with Maxine Anyango and Bushira Namayanja making significant contributions.
Coach Natuhereza praised the young duo, noting their fearless approach to the game.
“I’m really impressed with how brave they are,” he said.
“They are not afraid of the moment. They came out and did what they do best. This is a good start for them with a bright future ahead.”
Player Jamilla Nansikombi, popularly known as Zama, also reflected on the team’s performance and the challenges they faced during the game.
Zama admitted that the slow start was evident but highlighted the importance of communication and team spirit in overcoming the early hurdles.
“We had a slow start but as the coaches kept talking to us, we picked it up,” Zama explained.
“We talked to each other and reminded ourselves that this wasn’t the end, we wanted to get to the final, so we had to take this game more seriously.”
With many players having logged heavy minutes in earlier matches, fatigue was a concern for the Gazelles.
This led to the introduction of fresh legs, as players who hadn’t seen as much action were given the opportunity to make an impact.
“We had a lot of people that played a lot in the first few games, and bodies were tired technically,” said Zama.
Despite some moments of struggle, the team’s collective effort saw them through to victory, with Zama expressing gratitude for the support from fans.
“We fell short sometimes, but thank everyone who supported us,” she added.
As the Gazelles take a well-earned rest on Friday, their focus shifts to Saturday’s final against Egypt.
The stakes could not be higher, with the winner of the game securing automatic qualification for the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket final tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Coach Natuhereza and his squad will be preparing for a challenging encounter, but with the confidence that comes from their victories over Burundi, South Sudan and Kenya in the Zone V group phase, Gazelles will enter the Final game against Egypt on Saturday, February 8, with determination.
FIBA Zone V Qualifiers – Group Phase Results
- Uganda 78-56 Kenya
- Egypt 55-52 Uganda
- Uganda 83-69 South Sudan
- Uganda 60-30 Burundi
Final
- Uganda Vs Egypt- Saturday
With young talents like Anyango and Namayanja emerging as key contributors and veterans like Jane Asinde, Mellisa Akullu, Shakira Navubya and Zama providing leadership, the Gazelles are poised for a strong challenge against the hosts, Egypt.
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