Uganda’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, face a stern test at the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket 2025 after being drawn into what many are calling the Group of Death.
In Thursday’s official draw, Uganda was placed in Group D alongside some of the continent’s most formidable basketball powerhouses: Senegal, Mali and regional archrivals Egypt.
Senegal, a five-time AfroBasket champion and bronze medalist from the 2021 edition, poses a daunting challenge with their rich basketball pedigree.
Egypt, another five-time winner, brings a fierce familiarity as Uganda’s long-time Zone V rival. Mali, though less decorated, remains a physical and unpredictable side with a history of producing competitive squads.
The 2025 edition of Africa’s premier basketball tournament will be held from August 12 to 24 in Angola with group matches staged at the 3,500-seat Pavilhao Multiusos Welwitschia Mirabilis in Namibe.
The final phase will unfold in Luanda at the 12,700-capacity Kilamba Arena, promising a grand stage for the tournament’s climax.
The format will see each of the 16 qualified teams, divided into four groups of four, play round-robin matches from August 12 to 17.
The top teams will then proceed to the knockout rounds, beginning with the qualification for the quarterfinals on August 18-19, leading up to the grand finale on August 24.
Elsewhere, defending champions Tunisia headline Group B with 2015 winners Nigeria, Cameroon and Madagascar.
Hosts Angola are drawn into Group C alongside rising forces South Sudan, Guinea, and Libya.
Last edition’s finalists, Ivory Coast, lead Group A with DR Congo, Cape Verde and Rwanda.
