Silverbacks secure Afrobasket 2025 spot despite Nigeria defeat
Uganda's place at the tournament due in Angola in August was confirmed after the hosts, who were part of Group E of the qualification tournament, secured a top-three finish in their pool on Saturday.
Uganda's Deng Geu shoots from beyond the arc against Nigeria on Saturday. (Courtesy photos)
By Charles Mutebi
Journalists @New Vision
2025 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers
Nigeria 87 Uganda 67
Uganda 63 Cape Verde 60
The Uganda Silverbacks are through to AfroBasket 2025.
Uganda's place at the tournament due in Angola in August was confirmed after the hosts, who were part of Group E of the qualification tournament, secured a top-three finish in their pool on Saturday.
Ishmail Wainright was one of three Silverbacks to score double digits against Nigeria. 
That meant the fourth best team would secure their ticket to the continental finals. That team Will come out of Group B, which includes Cape Verde, Libya, Nigeria and Uganda.
Even if Uganda lose their final game to Libya on Sunday evening, they will finish as the fourth best team.
Uganda were thrashed yesterday 87-67 by Nigeria, a result that left the Silverbacks camp despondent as the threat of elimination from qualification seemed certain.
Silverbacks guard Tony Drileba.
But with Angola thrashing Kenya 88-59, coupled with losses for Central African Republic and Morocco, the Silverbacks were through to their fourth consecutive AfroBasket.