Junior Silverbacks top Group B as Juuko warns of semifinal challenge

FIBA U18 Zone V AfroBasket Qualifiers

Uganda 84 Kenya 50

Uganda 52 South Sudan 40

Uganda U18 boys' head coach Daniel Juuko Najja says his team must remain focused after completing a perfect Group B campaign at the ongoing FIBA U18 Zone V AfroBasket Qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt.

The Junior Silverbacks finished top of the group after defeating Kenya 84-50 on Saturday, following Friday's 52-40 victory over South Sudan.

Uganda will now face the second-placed team from Group A in Tuesday's semifinal, with only the tournament winners qualifying for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket finals in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Juuko said the team has made a positive start but believes the biggest challenge still lies ahead.

"We have done well to finish top of our group, but our work is not finished. The players understand the semifinal is our biggest game because it keeps our AfroBasket dream alive," Juuko said.

Uganda made a bright start against Kenya, taking the opening quarter 25-20 before a 10-0 run early in the second period stretched their advantage.

Another 11-0 run after the break put the contest beyond Kenya as the defending Zone V champions completed another convincing victory.

Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro led Uganda with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, Eli Ssenyange added 19 points, while Gabriel Nkugwa marked his tournament debut with 13 points.

Jacob Kateihwaho also made his first appearance after missing Uganda's opening victory over South Sudan.

Uganda dominated throughout the game, winning the rebound battle 64-50 and converting Kenya's 35 turnovers into 40 points.

Juuko said the players have grown with every game but warned that knockout basketball demands even greater concentration.

"Every game has helped us improve as a team. The boys are defending well, sharing the ball, and playing with confidence, but we must stay disciplined because every mistake becomes costly from this stage," he said.

The Junior Silverbacks opened the tournament with a 52-40 victory over South Sudan, with Shane Kwizera scoring 19 points and John Levi Ogiramoi adding 12.

Uganda is defending the Zone V title they won in Lugogo in 2024 and now stand two victories away from securing the region's only ticket to the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket finals, scheduled for August 5-16 in Abidjan.

The Junior Gazelles have already qualified for the continental championship after finishing among the top four teams at the previous finals.