2025 FIBA AfroBasket
- Mali 85-70 Uganda
Uganda’s Silverbacks fought hard but couldn’t recover from a nightmare start, falling 85-70 to Mali in their second Group D game of the 2025 AfroBasket on Thursday.
Both teams came in desperate for a win after opening losses Mali to Egypt, Uganda to Senegal but the West Africans seized control early.
Mahamane Coulibaly led the way with 25 points, while Aliou Diarra added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Without injured big man Jacksen Moni, Uganda struggled in the first quarter, trailing 25-8 as Mali’s physical play took over.
Deng John Geu kept the Silverbacks alive with a game-high 27 points, and Robinson Opong chipped in 19. A 14-0 second-quarter run cut the gap to eight by halftime.
Opong’s free throws brought Uganda within four in the third, but Mali answered with an 8-0 burst and never looked back.
Their bench contributed 23 points, they dominated the paint with 34, and their fast breaks added 15.
The win boosts Mali ahead of Saturday’s clash with Senegal, while Uganda, now 0-2, face Egypt on Saturday, a steep climb to stay in contention.
