Silverbacks keep second-round hopes alive despite Angola setback
The Silverbacks matched the hosts for much of the first half and trailed by just seven points at the break. However, Angola dominated the second half to cruise to victory.
Silverbacks keep second-round hopes alive despite Angola setback
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers
Angola 95 Uganda 62
Saturday
Uganda v Mali 6pm
Sunday
Egypt v Uganda 6pm
Uganda's Silverbacks remain focused on improvement despite a heavy 95–62 loss to Angola in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers on Thursday night in Luanda.
The Silverbacks matched the hosts for much of the first half and trailed by just seven points at the break. However, Angola dominated the second half to cruise to victory.
Guard Nike Sibande admitted the result was disappointing but stressed the need to quickly learn from mistakes ahead of upcoming matches.
"We want to take the positives from the game. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but we will learn from it," Sibande said.
He called on his teammates to stay united as they prepare to face Mali and Egypt.
"As players, we have to do better by working together as a team. We're looking forward to the next two games," he added.
Sibande also challenged himself to raise his game.
"Individually, I have to be better. That’s something I work on every day. We all need to be better."
Uganda competed well in the opening quarters, with Angola leading 19–14 after the first and 42–35 at halftime.
Angola extended the lead to 27 points by the end of the third quarter before sealing a comfortable 33-point win.
Fayed Baale and Leonard Musiime scored 17 points each to lead Uganda, while Sibande added 12.
For Angola, Selton Miguel scored 17 points, Gerson Goncalves 15, and Abou Gakou and Bruno Fernando 14 each.
The defeat leaves Uganda still searching for its first win in the qualifiers, having also lost to Angola, Mali, and Egypt during the first qualifying window in February.
The Silverbacks now turn their attention to Saturday's clash with Group D leaders Mali, before closing the second qualifying window against Egypt on Sunday.
Uganda needs positive results in both matches to keep alive its hopes of reaching the second round, where the top three teams from each group advance.