FIBA Afrobasket 2025
Senegal 88 Uganda 53
Thursday 14th
Uganda v Mali 4:30pm
Luanda, Angola: The Uganda men’s basketball team, the Silverbacks, suffered a tough 88-53 loss to Senegal in their opening game of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket on Tuesday at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda in Angola.
Senegal started strong, scoring 30 points in the first quarter, while Uganda managed 18. The Silverbacks improved defensively in the second and third quarters but struggled to score, missing many shots and committing turnovers. At halftime, Senegal led 44-30.
John Deng Geu led Uganda with 17 points, while debutant Naseef Lubowa showed promise.
However, Jacksen Moni struggled with his shooting, going 4-for-16 from the field. Jonathan Komagum battled hard in the paint, recording a game-high 14 rebounds and adding 8 points.
Senegal’s Jean-Jacques Boissy, the 2025 Basketball Africa League MVP, and Makhtar Gueye each scored 16 points.
Gora Camara dominated inside with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Jean-Jacques Boissy also contributed 16 points.
The Silverbacks were missing two key players former NBA forward Ishmail Wainright, who withdrew at the last minute, and Christopher Mubiru.
Their absence left a gap in leadership and scoring. The team traveled with only 10 players, including three debutants: Moni, Lubowa, and 18-year-old Joel Tejan Rugette.
Uganda is making only its fourth Afrobasket appearance. They are in Pool D, which includes five-time champions Egypt and towering Mali.
Only the top team in each group qualifies directly for the quarterfinals, while second and third place must go through an extra round.
In 2021, the Silverbacks reached the quarterfinals, famously knocking out Nigeria in the Round of 16 before losing to Cape Verde. Senegal, meanwhile, were semi-finalists that year, losing to Ivory Coast.
The Silverbacks return to action on Thursday at 4:30 pm (EAT) against Mali, looking to recover from the opening setback.
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