Uganda and Kenya Bounce Back with Crucial Wins in AfroBasket Qualifiers

CAIRO, Egypt – Uganda’s Gazelles and Kenya’s Lionesses reignited their AfroBasket qualification hopes with impressive victories on the third day of the FIBA Zone 5 Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers in Cairo. Uganda outclassed South Sudan 83-69, while Kenya secured their first win of the campaign with an 87-53 triumph over Burundi.

Asinde Dominates as Uganda Overpowers South Sudan

For the third consecutive game, Jane Asinde led Uganda with a stellar performance, registering a game-high 28 points and nine rebounds. The Gazelles showed significant improvement from beyond the arc, shooting 7-of-21 from three-point range, a stark contrast to their struggles against Egypt in their previous outing.

Uganda took control early and never looked back, dominating the paint (38-26), second-chance points (23-10), and fast-break opportunities (22-9). A decisive 15-0 run late in the second quarter allowed them to overturn a 33-28 deficit and build an unassailable lead.

Coach Nicholas Natuhereza praised his team’s response following their tough loss to Egypt, emphasizing the importance of defensive discipline and improved shooting efficiency.

After yesterday’s loss, we had to reset mentally. We started much better against South Sudan, and I’m happy that we shot the ball well, defended aggressively, and created easy scoring opportunities in transition, said Natuhereza.

On the opposing side, former Uganda head coach Alberto Antuna, now leading South Sudan, acknowledged his team’s fighting spirit but admitted they need to manage games better.

I’m proud of the girls, but we are still in the process of building a team. Playing against the seventh-best team on the continent was a tough challenge. However, our second-half resilience gives us something to build on in the next game, Antuna stated.

Victoria Reynolds Leads Kenya to a Resounding Victory Over Burundi

Kenya’s Lionesses finally broke their losing streak, recording an emphatic 87-53 win over Burundi. Former Zone 5 MVP Victoria Reynolds spearheaded the charge, posting 22 points, seven assists, and six steals.

A dominant 26-10 first quarter set the tone for Kenya’s victory, allowing them to weather Burundi’s pressure in the second period. Adjustments in the second half saw the Lionesses extend their lead, winning the final two quarters 25-16 and 28-12.

Captain Selina Okumu contributed 15 points, while Vilma Owino played a crucial role off the bench, scoring 12 points in just 11 minutes.

Burundi’s standout player was Ines Nezerwa, who managed 20 points and eight rebounds but struggled with turnovers, finishing with an efficiency rating of 15.

We made some tactical adjustments and executed well. I’m happy with how we played,” said Kenya head coach George Mayienga.

Despite the tough road ahead, Reynolds remains optimistic.

The opening two losses have made qualification tougher, but we have to keep fighting and pushing for wins. The competition in Zone 5 has become more intense, and missing key players like Madina Okot has affected us, but we are determined, said Reynolds.

Burundi’s coach, Arséne Mfuraniza, pointed to a slow start and turnovers as their biggest challenges.

We allowed them to take a 21-4 lead, but once we switched to a zone defense, we managed to fight back. However, we struggled to contain their intensity in the second half. Moving forward, we must improve our ball handling to reduce turnovers, Mfuraniza noted.

Standings Update

With the victory, Uganda improved to a 2-1 record, while Kenya moved to 1-2. Hosts Egypt remain the only unbeaten team in the competition as the battle for the lone qualification spot intensifies.