Uganda’s Gazzelles are through to the FIBA Women AfroBasket Championships in Ivory Coast later this year after stunning hosts and favorites Egypt in the Zone 5 Qualifiers finals last evening while South Sudan ensured Kenya left outside the podium places.
There was an interesting twist as Uganda earned reprieve and revenge against the Pharaohs who had lost won years ago in a Zone 5 finale by a score of 74-65. This time Nicholas Natuhereza’s charges not only avenged the tears of 2023 by winning 74-63, but also the group stage loss to Egypt that the pearl nation went down 65-62.
It was all cheer and dance after the final buzzer with the Gazelles led by Captain and Tournament Most Valuable Player Janet Asinde heading to West Africa for the continental showpiece. On the flip side it was tears and pain for the Egyptians who failed to capitalize on home court advantage.
“This feels sweeter winning in their (Egypt) backyard. I am happy for my team and proud of all the players for the work they have put in to win this Final game that has been a problem through these years,” said Coach Natuhereza who is also the Technical Director who is also the Technical Director of the Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA).
Meanwhile it was a different affair as Kenya fell short again against South Sudan 80-63 and this time missing out on the bronze medal. George Mayienga’s team managed only a single win in five games which was far from satisfactory with the team finishing fourth overall in the five team competition.
South Sudan who finished third in this tournament came hard and did not allow the Kenyans any room to manoeuvre. Christine Akinyi, Victoria Reynolds and Jemimah Omondi had good contributions for Team Kenya but that was not to be sufficient. Going behind 19 points in the opening quarter did Kenya in as they played catch up the entire match.
The big South Sudanese who finished 3-2 overall, had more rebounds on the opposite end of the court led by Delicia Washington, Nyamuoch Pidor Teny and Adut Bulgak scoring 25, 18 and 12, the latter completing a double-double with 11 rebounds.
“We started low, caught up in the second but did not have the energy to keep going in the second half. I, however, pick positives in the way the team played in the third quarter as that has been our biggest undoing,” said Coach Mayienga of the 2021 African semi-finalists.
