Friday, August 26
•Uganda 64-82 Angola
Saturday, August 27
*Ivory Coast Vs Uganda – 10pm
The Silverbacks got their second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers off to a poor start after a 64-82 loss against giants Angola.
Uganda will rue a poor start to the game after trailing 26-12 in the first quarter and struggled to settle as Angola meant business.
The Silverbacks won the last quarter 22-14 but it was little too late as Angola had already done the damage.
And the result clearly portrayed Uganda’s poor preparations after the side held no training session prior to the Abidjan trip.
Bruno Fernando who turns up for Houston Rockets led the 11-time African champions with 16 points while Gerson Concalves and Jose Dimitri Maconda added 15 and 11 points each.
Deng Geu scored a game high 17, Ishmail Wainwright did not have the best of an outing and managed 16 while Jimmy Enabu had 10 points in a losing effort.
Coach George Galanopoulos will be hoping for an improved performance when they return to action against hosts Ivory Coast who beat Nigeria 78-66 on Friday.
It’s a big blow for Uganda who are seeking an elusive ticket to the 2023 World Cup due next year in Phillipines, Japan and Indonesia.
Angola on the other hand, will fancy their chances to book a World Cup slot for a ninth time!
After Ivory Coast, the Silverbacks will concluded this window on Sunday against Guinea. The next and final window will be held in February next year as African teams vie for the five World Cup slots.
