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And after winning one and losing the other to complete their Group C games, Alberto Antuna’s charges are now fully aware of what awaits them in the next rounds of the competition.
The Uganda Gazelles landed in Kigali, Rwanda, assured of playing at least three games in the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket.
And after winning one and losing the other to complete their Group C games, Alberto Antuna’s charges are now fully aware of what awaits them in the next rounds of the competition.
Senegal’s second loss of the competition on Sunday was enough for Uganda to stay second on the log while Mali topped the group with maximum points and an automatic place in the quarters.
The reward for finishing second for the Gazelles is a clash with DR Congo in the quarter-final qualifier slated for Tuesday.
As per the tournament format, only the group winners qualify for the quarters, while the second and third-placed teams have to go through a qualifier for the last eight.
DR Congo finished bottom of Group D after losing twice to Egypt and Nigeria, while Egypt fell to the defending champions to finish second and book a date with record champions Senegal.
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Then what?
Having already stunned Senegal in the first phase of the competition, the Gazelles will need another big result to break into the top eight and improve on their last seeding in 2015.
Defeating Congo would present Uganda with yet another challenge of going up against hosts Rwanda in the quarter-finals and a chance to progress to the final four.
Rwanda finished top of Group A despite a 74-68 loss to Angola on Sunday.
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Should Uganda still manage to defeat the hosts, a place in the semi-finals would likely pit them against defending champions Nigeria, who are favourites to get past either Mozambique or Cote D’Ivoire.
Stuff of dreams
Uganda were underdogs going into the tournament, and everyone expected them to be the punching bag in Group C.
But that 85-83 win over Senegal has painted a clearer picture of the Gazelles and the potential they have.
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20:38 - 29.07.2023
FIBA WOMEN'S AFROBASKET Uganda Gazelles stun Senegal for huge Afrobasket victory
Uganda dared Senegal to shoot the ball and it paid off as the Gazelles improved to a 1-1 record to conclude the first phase of the competition.
That the team is now two games from making the semis of the continental showpiece is the stuff of dreams.
First, however, the job starts on Tuesday, with another big result required against neighbours Congo.
FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2023
Quarter-final qualifier
Tuesday
Uganda Vs DR Congo
Mozambique Vs Ivory Coast
Egypt Vs Senegal
Angola Vs Guinea
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