Luanda, Angola: The Uganda men’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, suffered their second straight defeat at the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Men’s Basketball Championship, falling 72–85 to Mali in a decisive group-stage clash.
John Deng Geu led Uganda’s charge with 27 points and four rebounds, while Robinson Opong added 19 points and four rebounds. But Mali’s Mahamane Coulibaly was unstoppable with 25 points, and Aliou Diarra posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, punishing the depleted Ugandan roster.
Uganda’s woes deepened with the absence of forward Moni Jacksen, who was sidelined after picking up an injury in their opening loss to Senegal. Though initial fears of a severe injury were eased, Jacksen was ruled out, leaving the Silverbacks with just nine players available against Mali, a costly blow given their opponents’ size advantage.
Jacksen had been a standout against Senegal with 10 points and five rebounds, even as his perimeter shooting faltered. Without him, Uganda’s defence was overpowered, and Mali capitalised on their superiority under the basket.
While Uganda’s shooting improved slightly from the Senegal game, where they managed just 53 points at 31% field goal efficiency, defensive lapses and failure to match Mali’s physicality proved decisive.
Both teams entered the match desperate for a first win, but Mali’s urgency showed from the tip-off, bouncing back from their 74–59 loss to Egypt. With only the group winner securing an automatic quarterfinal berth and the second and third teams facing a knockout Round of 16, every game remains critical.
The Silverbacks next face Egypt in a must-win encounter, with uncertainty still looming over Jacksen’s availability. The Ugandans must regroup and address their defensive and rebounding shortcomings if they are to revive their tournament hopes.
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