The Uganda senior national women’s basketball team, the Gazelles, are set to get their FIBA Women’s Afrobasket journey underway on Friday against Mali.
The Gazelles will be keen on causing an upset to the West African powerhouse at the Kigali Arena, Rwanda.
Head coach Alberto Antuna has expressed huge optimism that the team has put in the right work to compete with the continental giants.
“We’re done with the preparations, we have been longing for this moment, to start the championship,” Antuna told the press after Thursday’s training.
“I really feel we’ve had good preparation, FUBA made an amazing effort in the camps and coming here three before days, playing in the arena for three sessions.”
“We’re ready now, it’s time to enjoy, to compete and for us thats the most important thing in the championship,” he added.
“We have to compete because we know we’re going to face two top teams in the continent so have to compete and enjoy the experience.”
“We’re going to bring everything on the court, we have to make Ugandans proud, and we’ll need their support,” he summed.
Meanwhile, captain Flavia Oketcho reiterated Antuna’s words, asserting the team has made the right preparations for the big stage.
“We are ready to rumble; we’ve had fantastic preparation this time round right from Kampala to Kigali.”
“We have had a chance to feel the court, to see where we prefer to do whatever it is that we have to do; we’re good to go,” Oketcho added.
Besides Mali, Uganda will also face Senegal in Group C.
The Gazelles will be looking to make a strong start to the tournament and put themselves in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
Courtesy Photos
