Tendo confident Silverbacks can compete in Alexandria

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FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers

Uganda v Angola 9pm (Thursday 26)

Uganda v Mali 9pm (Saturday 28)

Uganda v Egypt 9pm (March 2)

Uganda Silverbacks assistant coach Andrew Tendo believes the team’s opening days in camp have been intense and says the players are ready for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers.

Uganda will compete in the qualifiers from February 26 to early March at the Borg El Arab Sports Hall in Alexandria, Egypt. The Silverbacks are drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Mali and Egypt.

“We have been intense. In these few days, we have been looking at defence, personal defence and team defence. The boys are really competitive and coping with the skills we need to execute,” Tendo said.

He explained that the initial training sessions have mainly focused on tightening defence and improving understanding among players as the team prepares for strong opposition.

“We are trying to work on offensive sets, trying to pick up on the sets, speed, run the ball a bit more through transition and all that. This time around, we are trying to be better,” he added.

(Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

Tendo stressed that discipline will be crucial if Uganda are to compete effectively.

“To compete, we must improve our defence, limit turnovers and control rebounds. The boys understand what is required,” he said.

The technical bench is also working on reducing turnovers and improving rebounding, areas that cost the team during the 2025 AfroBasket Championship. In that tournament, Uganda lost 88-53 to Senegal, 85-72 to Mali and 77-64 to Egypt.

Debutant Nike Dejur Sibande (middle, in red jersey) trains with his Uganda Silverbacks teammates during preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt. (Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

Nike Sibanda joined the team on Saturday, while forward Deng John Geu was the final player to link up with the squad after arriving on Monday morning.

Uganda head into the qualifiers under new head coach Goran Lojo of Bosnia, who took up the position one month before the tournament. The team will hope he can improve results as Uganda currently holds one of the poorest win-loss records, 2-14, in the World Cup African qualifiers.

The absence of key players Arthur Kaluma, Ishmail Wainwright, and Brandon Davies from the preliminary roster has raised questions about Uganda’s chances. However, the team will rely on experienced leaders such as captain Robinson Opong and Deng John Geu, who have developed with the Silverbacks since their junior days.

Geu averaged 22 points per game at AfroBasket and scored 27 against Mali. Opong averaged 12.3 points and stepped up in the final two games with 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, while Jackson Moni scored 10 in his only appearance.

The locally based players in the squad include Fayed Baale, Joel Kayiira, Ian Duncan Lubwama, Titus Lual Odeke, Peter Obleng and Edgar Munaaba. Ivan Muhwezi misses out, while Tonny Drileba is sidelined with a foot injury.

Uganda will open their campaign against reigning African champions Angola on Thursday 26 at 20:00 GMT+2, which is 9pm Uganda time, at Borg El Arab Arena in Egypt.

In their last three meetings, Angola have won all. In February 2023, Angola beat Uganda 82-49 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers. In August 2022, Angola won 84-62, while in September 2017, at the FIBA AfroBasket, Angola defeated Uganda 94-89.

Uganda’s second game will be against Mali on Saturday 28 at 9pm Uganda time. Mali have won the last three meetings against Uganda, including an 85-72 victory at AfroBasket on August 14, 2025, a 95-80 win on June 30, 2018, and a 79-76 victory on February 24, 2018.

Uganda will conclude the group phase against hosts Egypt, who have dominated recent meetings. Egypt won 77-64 on August 16, 2025, 96-77 on November 27, 2020, 95-72 on March 18, 2017, 85-77 on September 23, 2014, 80-67 on January 23, 2013, and 95-53 on February 25, 2009.