Sports
Junior Silverbacks chase AfroBasket ticket in Rwanda clash
The defending Zone V champions reached the last four after finishing top of Group B with a perfect record, beating South Sudan 52-40 before cruising to an 84-50 victory over Kenya.
Uganda's Junior Silverbacks will take on neighbours Rwanda on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIBA U18 Zone V AfroBasket Qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt. (Courtesy photo)
By: Chrispus Baluku, Journalist @New Vision
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FIBA U18 Zone V AfroBasket Qualifiers
Rwanda v Uganda, 1:00 pm (Tuesday, 1:00 pm)
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Uganda's Junior Silverbacks will take on neighbours Rwanda on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIBA U18 Zone V AfroBasket Qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt, with a place in the continental finals at stake.
The defending Zone V champions reached the last four after finishing top of Group B with a perfect record, beating South Sudan 52-40 before cruising to an 84-50 victory over Kenya.
Uganda now stand two wins away from retaining the regional title and securing Zone V's only ticket to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Finals, scheduled for August 5-16 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Rwanda finished second in Group A after defeating Tanzania 86-57 but losing 80-71 to hosts Egypt.
Uganda will once again rely on in-form forward Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro, who starred in the win over Kenya with 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. He also contributed eight points and nine rebounds in the opening victory over South Sudan.
The defending Zone V champions reached the last four after finishing top of Group B with a perfect record, beating South Sudan 52-40 before cruising to an 84-50 victory over Kenya.
Uganda now stand two wins away from retaining the regional title and securing Zone V's only ticket to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Finals, scheduled for August 5-16 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Rwanda finished second in Group A after defeating Tanzania 86-57 but losing 80-71 to hosts Egypt.
Uganda will once again rely on in-form forward Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro, who starred in the win over Kenya with 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. He also contributed eight points and nine rebounds in the opening victory over South Sudan.
Shane Kwizera has also been one of Uganda's standout performers. The guard recorded a triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 12 steals and four assists against South Sudan before adding six points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals against Kenya.
Rwanda's biggest threat is Sean Mwesigwa, who scored 24 points against Egypt and 20 against Tanzania. Uganda will need to limit his influence if they are to reach the final.
The fixture revives one of the region's growing rivalries. The two sides met in the 2024 Zone V final in Kampala, where Uganda defeated Rwanda to win the title and qualify for the continental championship.
This year's semi-final carries even greater significance, with both finalists earning qualification for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Finals.
Uganda's girls' team, the Junior Gazelles, has already secured qualification for the continental championship after finishing among the top four teams at the previous AfroBasket Finals.
Rwanda's biggest threat is Sean Mwesigwa, who scored 24 points against Egypt and 20 against Tanzania. Uganda will need to limit his influence if they are to reach the final.
The fixture revives one of the region's growing rivalries. The two sides met in the 2024 Zone V final in Kampala, where Uganda defeated Rwanda to win the title and qualify for the continental championship.
This year's semi-final carries even greater significance, with both finalists earning qualification for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Finals.
Uganda's girls' team, the Junior Gazelles, has already secured qualification for the continental championship after finishing among the top four teams at the previous AfroBasket Finals.