Uganda’s men’s basketball team, the betPawa powered Silverbacks, open their 2025 FIBA Afrobasket campaign on Tuesday, August 12, against African giants Senegal at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda.
This is Uganda’s fourth Afrobasket appearance, and they face a tough Pool D that also includes five-time champions Egypt and a powerful Mali side.
New captain Robinson Opong Odoch is ready to lead from the front.
“We want to win, and I’m very motivated,” Opong said before leaving their training camp in Johannesburg. “We believe we can compete, win games, and represent our country well.”
Head coach George Galanopoulos has focused on tactics and team chemistry, but Uganda will miss two key players, Ishmail Wainright, a former NBA forward who starred in the 2021 quarterfinal run, and Christopher Mubiru, both ruled out of the tournament.
Wainright’s absence is significant after averaging 12.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists last time out.
Uganda’s 10-man squad features three debutants, Jackson Moni, Naseef Lubowa, and 18-year-old Joel Tejan Rugette, one of the country’s brightest prospects.
“We have to stay relentless,” Opong added. “We’re not bowing to anyone. We’ll fight with everything we have.”
Only the top team in each group advances directly to the quarterfinals. Second and third-placed teams go through an extra qualification round, while bottom teams are eliminated.
Uganda shocked Nigeria in the 2021 Round of 16 before falling to Cape Verde in the quarters. Senegal, meanwhile, reached the semifinals, losing to eventual runners-up Ivory Coast.
Tuesday Fixtures (EAT):
• Uganda vs Senegal — 2:00 PM
• South Sudan vs Guinea — 4:00 PM
• Mali vs Egypt — 5:00 PM
• Angola vs Libya — 7:00 PM
For live updates, fixtures, and betting odds, visit betPawa Uganda https://www.betpawa.ug/
