LUGOGO – The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA), has confirmed that both the Male (Silverbacks) and Female (Gazelles), national teams will be in continental action, later this year.
This was confirmed by the federation on Thursday morning.
“The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) is proud to announce that the National Teams (Silverbacks and Gazelles) will take part in the preliminaries of the AfroCAN and AfroBasket WOMEN which will be held from 26th June to 01st July 2019 in Kampala. Read a statement by FUBA.
The Silverback will take part in the qualifiers for the maiden African Nations Cup (AfroCAN).
For the Gazelles, they will also be attempting to reach the finals of the 26th AfroBasket championships.
On the same day, FUBA released the list of players that will start preparations for the qualifiers.
The Silverbacks will once again be led by long-serving captain Stephen Omony. Omony is joined by the core of the team that recently played in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Both the Silverbacks and Gazelles will start non-residential training at the Arena in Lugogo on Thursday afternoon and will continue with the preparations under the watch of the coaches in charge of the two sides.
At a later date the teams will move to a residential camp to have them more focused and prepared for the competition.
“Our only goal is to qualify for both AfroCan and AfroBasket. Nothing less, is acceptable”, said Haji Mohammed Santur, the National team manager.
These championships are in the zone nations championship for senior men and women category and our national teams will face competition from participating nations in the Zone 5 category which include; Burundi, Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The Ugandan sides need to be placed first at the end of the championship to qualify for the 01st AfroCAN 2019 (Men) due in Mali 16th-28th July 2019 and 26th AfroBasket Women 2019 (To be determined, August).
“Our primary goal is to qualify for the next round and we are going to take it day by day during our training camp to make sure that we achieve ultimate goal”, said Coach George Galanopoulos, Head Coach of the Silverbacks.
Full squads
Men (Silverbacks)
Guards
Josh Eric Johnson (City Oilers), Tony Drileba (City Oilers), Jimmy Enabu (City Oilers), Syrus Kiviiri (Betway Power), Robinson Odoch Opong (City Oilers), Mark Opio (Kyambogo Warriors)
Forwards
Steven Omony (City Oilers) – Captain, Joseph Ikong (Betway Power), David Kongor Deng (UCU Canons).
Bigs
Deng Geu John (North Dakota State, USA), James Okello (City Oilers), Geoffrey Soro (Betway Power), Brandon Davies (Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania), Stanley Mugerwa (Kyambogo Warriors), Daniel Monoja (JKL Dolphins), Ivan Jjumba Lumanyika (JKL Dolphins)
Women (Gazelles)
Guards
Flavia Oketcho (JKL Lady Dolphins)-Captain, Judith Nansobya (KCCA Leopards), Rita Imanishimwe (JKL Lady Dolphins), Brenda Ekone (Nkumba Lady Marines)
Forwards
Jamilah Nansikombi (JKL Lady Dolphins), Zainah Lokwameri (UCU Lady Canons), Sarah Ageno (UCU Lady Canons), Priscilla Abei (UCU Lady Canons)
Bigs
Claire Lamunu (Kouvottari, Finland), Hope Akello (JKL Lady Dolphins), Martha Soigi (KCCA Leopards)-ASST CAPT, Urysla Cotton Kelenza (USA)
Coaches
George Galanopoulos and Mande Juruni (Silverbacks), Nick Natuhereza and Mavita Ali (Gazelles)
