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Uganda is scheduled to appear at their first Women's AfroBasket in eight years, and the excitement back home is increasing by the day as the Gazelles are set to face Africa's best.
Drawn in Group C against Mali and Senegal, the Ugandan side will head to the tournament as underdogs but will be confident of causing a few upsets.
Mali: A Rich history and unyielding determination
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Mali, ranked 27th globally, is gearing up for another thrilling campaign in the continental competition.
Led by their seasoned Spanish head coach, Joaquin Brizuela, the team hopes to clinch the coveted silverware this time, eager to make up for their close miss in the 2021 edition.
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15:55 - 24.07.2023
BASKETBALL Lamunu relishes Afrobasket opportunity
Lamunu had her first session with the team Monday morning at the Africa Bible University, Lubowa. She will also be part of Tuesday’s training before the team flies out to Kigali.
With 19 previous appearances in the Afrobasket Women's Championship, Mali boasts a rich history in the tournament.
Their first-ever title victory came in a remarkable showdown against hosts Senegal in a nail-biting final, with Mali emerging victorious with a scoreline of 63-56.
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11:49 - 22.07.2023
BASKETBALL Uganda Gazelles’ Afrobasket opponents arrive in Kigali
Senegal will be Uganda Gazelles’ second opponent, with the two sides set to face off next Sunday, July 29.
Currently ranked as Africa's second-best team, the West Africans exude confidence as they embark on their journey to Kigali.
They are determined to successfully navigate the group stage and secure their place in the knockout stages, where they can showcase their prowess on the court.
Senegal: A legacy of dominance and redemption
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With an impressive world ranking of 31st, Senegal enters familiar territory at the 2023 Afrobasket Women's Championship, holding a record of 11 titles, the most in the tournament's history.
The team is brimming with talent under the guidance of their head coach, Moustapha Gaye.
Despite their illustrious history and undeniable pedigree, Senegal has experienced a title drought since their triumph in 2015, when they overcame the hosts, Cameroon, with a convincing 81-66 victory.
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09:57 - 21.07.2023
BASKETBALL Which Uganda Gazelles players stood out against Team Select?
Jannon Otto stood out the most and conducted a scoring clinic, pouring in 29 points, most of which came from her trademark mid-range pull-up.
They finished fourth and returned home without a medal in the 2021 edition after losing to Cameroon in the bronze medal match – an unusual outcome for the typically dominant Senegalese side.
Determined to improve their recent performance, Senegal will leave no stone unturned as they strive to reclaim their position at the top of the podium. With their unmatched experience and exceptional talent, they remain a formidable force in the tournament.
Uganda: The Gazelles' quest for glory
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Uganda, currently ranked 80th in the world, is set to make its third appearance at the Afrobasket Women's Championship.
Their previous showings in 1997 and 2015 resulted in respectable ninth and tenth-place finishes in Kenya and Cameroon, respectively.
As clear underdogs in this group, the Gazelles are excitedly heading to Rwanda, eager to cause a few upsets and create some buzz at the continental competition.
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21:21 - 20.07.2023
BASKETBALL Winning was the least important, says Uganda Gazelles head coach
The Gazelles are still without Claire Lamunu and will be fully constituted when the US-based forward arrives Saturday night.
Gazelles captain Flavia Oketcho has said she hopes to see as many Ugandans as possible in Rwanda.
"In whichever way, please come to Kigali and let's bring the roof down together; we want to feel the love from everywhere, so again, let's do this together," Oketcho told Pulse Sports.
Their recent rise in the FIBA world rankings, climbing nine places, signals the country's growing popularity and development of the sport.
Returning Gazelles Claire Lamunu says she cannot wait for her first game of the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2023.
"Afrobasket is a massive stage. It is the biggest stage obviously on the continent, and we, as Uganda, have not been there in a while," Lamunu said.
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08:05 - 20.07.2023
BASKETBALL 'Let's bring down the Kigali Arena roof together' – Gazelle's captain rallies basketball fans ahead of Afrobasket
The Afrobasket showpiece might not have pitted the two neighbours in the same group.
Under the guidance of their experienced head coach, Alberto Antuna, Uganda's Gazelles are eager to prove that they belong among the continent's elite basketball teams.
With determination and a hunger to succeed, they will leave no room for complacency and aim to make their mark in the 2023 Afrobasket Women's Championship.
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