AfroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers: Uganda battle Kenya

FIBA AFROBASKET WOMEN 2017 QUALIFICATION

Today: Kenya V Uganda (8:00pm EAT)

The FIBA Zone V Women AfroBasket qualifiers was reduced to a three-team contest after Somalia bowed out.

Somalia's side that wer  expected to have their  first game against Uganda's Gazelles pulled out after failing to make a team of 12 players.

They were reportedly three players short.

Their withdrawal brings the Zone 5 contest down to three teams: Uganda, Egypt and Kenya.

But Uganda, although still actively playing, are already out.

Gazelles started off the tournament on a losing note, falling to a 85-56 defeat at the hands of Egypt on Sunday before tasting yet more defeat against next-door neighbours Kenya (41-70).

Following that lackluster start to the campaign, the Ugandan side had hoped to revive their hopes against Somalia. But after their withdrawal, Gazelles will have to face their tormentors since it's a round-robin format.

Tonight at 8pm Ugandan time, Nicholas Natuhereza's side will play Kenya, hoping to get their first victory.

Egypt, who have won  two games, top the group on four points, Kenya in second with three points while Uganda, winless so far, come in third on two points.

From this Zone one team will advance to the September 15-24 tournament in the Malian capital Bamako.

Senegal are the defending champions.