Junior Silverbacks qualify for FIBA U16 African Championships
The game was all but done after the first quarter in which Uganda opened a 19-point cushion
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NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
Uganda 116 Tanzania 49
Uganda’s Junior Silverbacks secured a spot at the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championships due to take place June 12-23, in Tunisia.
The Junior Silverbacks achieved the fete after winning the Zone V Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.
The youngsters thrashed Tanzania 116-49 at the LDK Gymnasium on Friday night in Uganda’s final match.
The game was all but done after the first quarter in which Uganda opened a 19-point cushion.
Tejan Joel Rugette and Zuri Owiny scored 21 and 20 points respectively, while Aaron Victor Makmot added 17 points each in the win.
The tournament attracted Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi, with the latter being suspended over fielding over-age players.
Uganda got the tournament started with a 59-57 win over hosts Rwanda before falling to Burundi who were allowed to play but with no right to qualify.
This will be Uganda’s second trip to the tournament having made its debut in Cairo back in 2021.
Five-time champions Egypt, Mali, Algeria, Angola, Guinea, Morocco, Nigeria and hosts Tunisia are the other countries that have already qualified for the finals.
In Tunisia, the top two teams will qualify for the U17 FIBA Basketball World Cup due next year in the United States.