Uganda’s Silverbacks face Mali on Thursday at AfroBasket 2025, still reeling from an 88-53 beating by Senegal in their opener. The question is simple: will Mali be any easier?
Senegal exposed Uganda’s flaws no Ishmail Wainright, a 21-0 scoring drought, 20 turnovers, a miserable 2-for-22 from three, and a 29-rebound gap. The Silverbacks never found their rhythm.
Head coach George Galanopoulos points to history for hope, recalling how Uganda lost to Senegal in 2021 but still made the quarterfinals. “The job is not yet done,” he said. “We just need to keep progressing little by little and we’ll be fine.”
Mali, however, are also stinging after a 74-59 loss to Egypt. Uganda’s task could get tougher if forward Jacksen Moni, who scored 10 before an injury against Senegal, is sidelined.
Both teams are winless, and only the group winner is guaranteed a quarterfinal spot. This is no warm-up for Uganda, Mali is less a soft assignment and more a do-or-die lifeline.
