Sibande adds scoring edge to Silverbacks' FIBA World Cup qualifiers squad

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Uganda’s national men’s basketball team, the Silverbacks, have bolstered their squad with the inclusion of scoring guard Nike Dejur Sibande as they prepare for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 qualifiers set for February 26, 2026, to March in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Silverbacks are drawn in Group D alongside Mali, Angola and Egypt, with Egypt hosting the group at the Borg Al Arab Sports Hall in Alexandria.

Eleven of the 12 players have been named, with one more expected to join the squad before the team departs for a training camp in Alexandria.

Silverbacks team manager Albert Ahabwe explained why the final name has not yet been announced.

“We would have released the 12th player, but we had some challenges with paperwork of particular players, and we are taking care of that before we make a public announcement of who the other player will be,” he said.

The biggest inclusion in the squad is Nike Dejur Sibande, a newly naturalised Ugandan guard who is set to make his national team debut. Sibande fills the naturalised slot, a position previously held by players such as Ishmail Wainwright, Brandon Davies and Jackson Moni.

Ahabwe explained why the team decided to bring Sibande on board.

“Nike Sibande is a naturalised player. In consultation with our coach, he felt that adding a scorer and wing player would suit the needs of the team as currently constructed. We always look to have guys who are going to be in the squad for many years,” he added.

Sibande currently plays professional basketball for Niners Chemnitz in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga and the EuroCup.

Before turning professional, he had a strong college career at Miami University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned ACC Sixth Man of the Year honours. He later played in Finland, Greece, Turkey and Spain before moving to Germany.

Sibande fills the naturalised slot, a position previously held by players such as Ishmail Wainwright, Brandon Davies and Jackson Moni.

The locally based players in the squad are Fayed Baale, Joel Kayiira, Titus Lual Odeke, Peter Obleng and Edgar Munaaba. Ivan Muhwezi has not been included, while Tonny Drileba is ruled out due to a foot injury.

The squad retains experienced leaders such as captain Robinson Opong Odoch and forward Deng John Geu, who have been part of the Silverbacks since their junior days.

Compared to the team that featured at the 2025 AfroBasket Championship, where Uganda lost 88-53 to Senegal, 85-72 to Mali and 77-64 to Egypt, several players stood out despite the defeats. Deng John Geu was the top performer, averaging 22 points per game and scoring 27 against Mali.

Robinson Opong averaged 12.3 points and improved in the final two games, scoring 19 against Mali and 14 against Egypt. Jonathan Komagum impressed defensively, averaging 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, two steals and two blocks. Naseef Lubowa averaged 10 points and was effective when driving to the basket, while Jackson Moni registered 10 points in the one game he played.

Looking at Uganda’s opponents, Mali are quick and dangerous on fast breaks, Angola are strong and physical, while Egypt rely on accurate shooting and skilled ball movement. Uganda will need to match their intensity. The team must also improve defensively, limit turnovers and control rebounds.

The qualification process will be demanding. Sixteen teams are competing across five windows for five World Cup places.

In the first round, teams are divided into four groups of four, with each side playing six games. The top three teams in each group advance to the second round, carrying forward all results from the first round.

In the second round, teams play six additional games, and the top two teams in each group, along with the best third-placed team, qualify for the World Cup. This system was introduced by FIBA to provide national teams with more competitive matches.

Silverbacks squad: Fayed Baale, Joel Kayiira, Titus Lual Odeke, Deng Geu, Jonathan Komagum, Peter Obleng, Robinson Opong Odoch (Captain), Tejan Joel Rugette, Nike Sibande Dejur, Edgar Munaaba, Naseef Lubowa.