FIBA Africa Women’s Zone V AfroBasket Qualifiers: Uganda v Egypt 

The Uganda Gazelles have nothing to lose.

That is probably the best thing to say about their encounter today with Egypt in the FIBA Africa Women’s Zone V Qualifiers.

Yesterday’s opening-day 61-53 loss to Kenya at Lugogo instantly put Uganda’s quest for FIBA AfroBasket qualification out of their control, and the clash with Egypt could be the final straw.

Egypt will start as huge favourites, having gotten their bid underway with a dominant 83-68 thrashing of South Sudan on Tuesday evening.

But Alberto Antuña's Uganda can take advantage of their underdog status when they take on Egypt, who will be confident of a second straight victory in the Lugogo clash.

South Sudan was beaten by Egypt 83-68 on Tuesday. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

When Uganda qualified for their maiden AfroBasket in 2014, they lost to Kenya and Egypt in their first two outings but bounced back to beat both rivals and qualify for the African championships.

Of course, this time it is a single-legged round-robin, so the margin of error is much smaller, but a victory over Egypt would put the Gazelles firmly back in contention for qualification.

On the other hand, defeat would mean the end of Uganda’s campaign, with two games to spare.

The pressure is on but Uganda may, in addition to drawing on the example of 2014, be rewarded by approaching the mighty Egyptians with a nothing-to-lose spirit. 

Frankly, it fits.