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The qualifiers are slated for February 14-19 in Kampala with countries like Rwanda, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan expected to make the trip.
The Uganda senior women’s basketball team, Gazelles will play against a league select side on Sunday to test their preparedness ahead of the Fiba Zone V Afrobasket Qualifiers.
Sunday will mark the end of three weeks of intense training for the ladies and coaches will make their final selection.
Team Uganda Management has organized a practice game for the side intending to sharpen the ladies.
The qualifiers are slated for February 14-19 in Kampala with countries like Rwanda, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan expected to make the trip.
Select side coach Roger Serunyigo has named a team that features some players who were summoned and later dropped by Gazelles coach Alberto Antuna.
Sharon Kirabo, Azidah Nabayunga and Fildausi Namuleme are some of the players who failed to make it to the final 17.
Fight for places
There are 17 locally based Gazelles players fighting for spots on the final team.
The team is expected to add US-based former U16 star Maria Najjuma and another naturalized player for the tournament.
That leaves ten slots for the locally based lot and Sunday’s trial game will allow coaches to make up their minds on players.
Team captain Flavia Oketcho only started training with the team on Thursday after being away in the UK for a while.
In her position are three other point guards who have put up their hands to be counted. Evelyne Nakiyingi, Angella Namirimu and Shakirah Nanvubya have all been training and fighting for a slot.
Oketcho’s experience and leadership qualities will probably mean that the other three have to fight for one slot. Maureen Amoding’s joining the team also means that four small forwards are fighting for two slots.
Zainah Lokwameri has been a mainstay on the team and will probably be the first name on the list.
Leticia Awor, Agather Kamwada and Amoding might have to fight for the other slot. Hope Akello and Sarah Ageno should be good as the two power forward options.
Sarah Namale, Becky Anyu and Bridget Aber are also fighting for the center position.
With Najjuma expected to join the team, only one slot might be available for the rest. After Sunday’s trial game, the final team for the tournament will be named.
Gazelles: Evelyne Nakiyingi, Flavia Oketcho, Shakira Nanvubya, Hope Akello, Angella Namirimu, Brenda Ekone, Shilla Lamunu, Rita Imanishimwe, Amoding Moreen, Perus Nyamwenge, Sarah Juliet Ageno, Agatha Kamwada, Bridget Aber, Sarah Namale, Zaina Lokwameri, Rebbeca Susan Anyu, Leticia Awor
Team Select: Ruth Letaru, Fildausi Namuleme, Azidah Nabayunga, Diana Letaru, Maimouna Nabbosa, Martha Soigi, Sharon Kirabo, Ines Kanyemuneza, Denise Eden Tekitendwa, Falidah Kandondi, Margaret Bagala
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