Junior Gazelles crush Kenya in Afrobasket opener

2026 FIBA U18 Women's Afrobasket

Group A

Uganda 84 Kenya 57

Saturday

Côte d'Ivoire v Uganda 7pm

Monday

Uganda vs Central African Republic 4:30pm

The Uganda U18 women's basketball team, the Junior Gazelles, made a winning start to the 2026 FIBA U18 Women's Afrobasket with a 84-57 victory over East African rivals Kenya on Thursday night in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Uganda, who are in Group A alongside Kenya, Central African Republic and hosts Côte d'Ivoire, led 40-31 at halftime before dominating the second half to secure a comfortable 27-point victory.

Kenya kept the contest close for the opening 25 minutes, but the Junior Gazelles took full control in the closing stages to seal an impressive win.

Melissa Taliba produced a brilliant double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds, while Rose Musundi also scored 25 points, adding five rebounds and five steals.

Mary Hazel Ssengendo contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Vanessa Nakalembe controlled the game with 12 assists, seven rebounds and six steals.

Maria Nanyonga added 11 points, including three three-pointers, while captain Grace Nakalembe finished with two points and seven rebounds.

Uganda's only concern was foul trouble in the first half, which saw Kenya earn 21 free-throw attempts. However, the Junior Gazelles tightened up defensively after the break and comfortably saw out the game.

The team is coached by John Omondi, who guided Uganda to the final of the 2024 U18 Women's Afrobasket and also led the Uganda U16 girls during the 2025 qualifiers.

Omondi knows many of the players well. Taliba played under him at Buddo Secondary School, while Olivia Atima was part of the wider squad during the 2024 campaign. Four players on the current team also featured in the U16 qualifiers under his guidance.

Uganda has travelled with one of its most experienced youth squads. Taliba has featured in both the National Basketball League (NBL) and Division One and played at the 2024 Afrobasket. Rose Musundi, Mary Hazel Ssengendo, Vanessa Nakalembe and Olivia Atima have also gained valuable experience in Uganda's top competitions.

Despite missing key players including Joy Auma, Shiphrah Kiranda, Jovia Anena and Madina, Uganda remains one of the favorites to reach the semi-finals.

The Junior Gazelles will now play hosts Côte d'Ivoire on Saturday at 7pm Uganda time, before taking on Central African Republic on Monday at 4:30pm. Two more victories would strengthen Uganda's chances of reaching the knockout stage.