Uganda men’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, got their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers campaign off to a low after a 90-68 defeat to Angola.
Facing the Afrobasket reigning champions, the Silverbacks put their tails in between their legs as Angola raced to a 17-0 run to open the game!
And the Silverbacks trailed 27-13 after the first quarter and failed to recover in a one-sided match at Borg Elarab Arena in Alexandria, Egypt.
Despite a 10-0 run the final frame for the Silverbacks, to reduce the deficit to 75-50, damage had already been caused.
Deng Geu paced Uganda with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Nike Sibande and Joel Kayiira added 15 and 10 points respectively but the effort proved not enough.
Point guard Childe Dundao led Angola’s victory with a near triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 11 assists, and 8 steals.
Five more Angola players scored in double digits – Selton Miguel (19), Kevin Kokila (13), Islando Manuel (11), Gerson Goncalves (10) and Abou Gakou (10).
The Silverbacks were edged on the boards 43-42, but 35 turnovers proved costly!
Uganda return to Group D action on Saturday against Mali, who beat hosts Egypt 87-77 in the other group match.