Silverbacks (Uganda men’s national basketball team) need at least one win to come good at the second window of the Afrobasket 2021 Qualifiers slated for February 18 – 21 in Monastir, Tunisia.
In the first window of the qualifier held in Egypt last year, Silverbacks who are in Group E with Egypt, Morocco and Cape Verde picked two wins and lost once, finishing second.
The Monastir showpiece will be the final window of the qualifiers and Silverbacks will need to finish among the top three in their group inorder to book a slot in the championship which will be held later this year in Kigali, Rwanda.
With just days to tip-off, Silverbacks forward Ishmail Wainright believes that the team can make the cut to the Kigali event but will have to put a few wrongs right from the first window especially on the defensive side.
“That’s one thing we really need to be big on this time round,” Wainright who currently plays for
French professional outfit SIG Strasbourg said in an interview with FUBA media.
“The good thing is that the team has really been focusing on defence and many aspects of the game since I’ve been here for two days. I can see that we’re ready mentally, physically and in everything. Our confidence is up,” Wainright added.
By Sunday, Wainright had had two training sessions with the team having joined the camp days after the local contingent touched base in Monastir.
“It’s been pretty good and I have adapted a lot. Even before I came here I stayed in contact with the team. I have watched a lot of film of Ugandan basketball including games from the previous qualifier,” Wainright noted.
Wainright further noted that it’s a good feeling playing for the country together with a group of guys that have treated him like a brother.
Ishmail Wainright had a good game for Uganda on the final outing of the first window of the qualifiers, returning 36 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
Silverbacks will be handled by head coach George Galanopoulos, who will be assisted by Mandy Juruni.
Silverbacks Team For Afrobasket Qualifiers:
1. Jimmy Enabu
2. Tony Drileba
3. Benjamin Komakech
4. Fayed Baale
5. James Okello
6. Joseph Anyuru Ikong
7. Titus Lual Odeke
8. Ceasar Kizito
9. Ishmail Wainright
10. Eric Rwahirwe
11. Robinson Opong
12. Deng Geu
13. Arthur Kaluma
