Uganda senior men’s national basketball team, Silverbacks picked two wins from their three games at the first window of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers that came to a close on Sunday in Alexandria, Egypt at the Kamal Shalaby Venue.
Uganda had a false start to the four-team tournament losing 96-77 to hosts Egypt on the opening day (Friday).
On Saturday, Uganda emerged 94-90 winners against Morocco before ending the tournament on a high with a hard fought 101-98 victory against Cape Verde on Sunday.
Ishmail Wainwright had a memorable game for Uganda on the final outing returning 36 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
Silverbacks Captain Jimmy Enabu who had a good game on Saturday also impressed on day three with 17 points just like Deng Geu. Robinson Opong managed 16 points.
Silverbacks will now wait for the second and last window of the Qualifiers which tips off on February 19, 2021 at a yet to be confirmed venue.
The top three teams in Group E (Egypt, Uganda, Cape Verde and Morocco) will automatically qualify for the FIBA Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda next year.
With two wins in the bag, Silverbacks are now in good position to qualify for the event proper.
Uganda has qualified for and competed at the last two Afrobasket tournaments – Tunisia 2015 and Senegal/Tunisia 2017 and are determined to make it a third straight time.
