Uganda’s senior men’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, will hold a 10-day residential training camp in Kigali, Rwanda, as preparations intensify for the third window of the FIBA Africa World Cup Qualifiers.
According to a statement released bu Fuba Tuesday morning, the team is scheduled to depart for Kigali on June 20 and will remain in camp until June 30 before travelling to Luanda, Angola, for the qualifiers slated for July 2-5.
Head coach Mandy Juruni has named a 12-man squad that blends experienced internationals with emerging talent as Uganda seeks to revive its campaign and keep alive hopes of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
The squad includes point guards Nike Sibande Dejur Jr, Fayed Baale and new kid on the block Edrine Ekau.
Robinson Odoch Opong, Marvin Musiime-Kamali and Blessed Phillip Mbogo have been selected as shooting guards, while Peter Obleng, John Deng Geu and Emmanuel Womala occupy the small forward positions.
Jonathan Komagum, Titus Lual Odeke and Joel Paul Kayiira complete the roster as forwards and centres.
The Rwanda camp is expected to provide Juruni and his technical team with an opportunity to fine-tune systems, build chemistry and assess the squad ahead of the crucial qualifiers in Angola.
Juruni will be assisted by Andrew Tendo and Ben Komakech, while Vincent Etyang will serve as team doctor.
The Silverbacks face a difficult task after losing all three games during the opening qualification window in February. Uganda suffered defeats to Angola, Mali and Egypt, leaving little margin for error heading into the next round of fixtures.
Uganda will open the third window against Angola on July 2 before taking on Mali on July 4 and Egypt on July 5.
Tough road ahead
The qualification process features 16 teams divided into four groups of four, with each team playing the others home and away. The top three teams from each group advance to the second round.
The 12 advancing teams are then split into two groups of six, carrying forward results earned against fellow qualifiers from the first round. Teams play only opponents they have not previously faced, adding six more games to their schedule.
At the conclusion of the second round, the top two teams from each group, together with the best third-placed team overall, will secure qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
With Africa allocated five places at the tournament, the Silverbacks know their hopes of making history remain alive.
The upcoming training camp in Kigali could prove pivotal as Uganda seeks to reignite its qualification campaign and keep its World Cup dream on course.
Silverbacks squad
Point Guards: Nike Sibande Dejur Jr, Fayed Baale, Edrine Ekau
Shooting Guards: Marvin Musiime-Kamali, Robinson Odoch Opong, Blessed Phillip Mbogo
Small Forwards: Peter Obleng, John Deng Geu, Emmanuel Womala
Forwards/Centres: Jonathan Komagum, Titus Lual Odeke, Joel Paul Kayiira