Uganda's Silverbacks to Camp in Rwanda for FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

The Uganda Silverbacks are gearing up for a crucial training camp in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 20th to June 30th. This ten-day residential camp is a key part of their preparation for the third window of the FIBA Africa World Cup Qualifiers, which will take place in Luanda, Angola, from July 2nd to July 5th.

Head coach Mandy Juruni has selected a 12-man squad designed to balance experience with emerging talent. Among the selected players are point guards Nike Sibande Dejur Jr, Fayed Baale, and newcomer Edrine Ekau. The shooting guard positions will be covered by Robinson Odoch Opong, Marvin Musiime-Kamali, and Blessed Phillip Mbogo. Peter Obleng, John Deng Geu, and Emmanuel Womala will play as small forwards, with Jonathan Komagum, Titus Lual Odeke, and Joel Paul Kayiira rounding out the roster as forwards and centres.

The camp in Rwanda is intended to allow the coaching staff to refine team strategies, foster better on-court chemistry, and assess the squad’s readiness for the high-stakes qualifiers. Coach Juruni will be supported by assistant coaches Andrew Tendo and Ben Komakech, with Vincent Etyang serving as the team doctor.

The Silverbacks face an uphill battle in their quest to qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar. They lost all three of their matches in the opening qualification window against Angola, Mali, and Egypt. Their upcoming fixtures in Angola see them facing Angola again on July 2nd, followed by matches against Mali on July 4th and Egypt on July 5th.

Qualification for the World Cup involves a multi-stage process where the top teams from initial groups advance to a second round. Africa has been allocated five spots in the tournament, meaning the Silverbacks’ dream of making history remains mathematically possible, but they must significantly improve their performance. This training camp in Kigali is seen as a vital step in their efforts to turn their campaign around.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)