Junior Silverbacks Fall to Angola in U18 Afrobasket Opener

Wednesday, September 4
*Junior Silverbacks 73-89 Angola

Thursday, September 5
*Egypt Vs Junior Gazelles – 6:30pm

Uganda Boys U18 National Basketball team, the Junior Silverbacks, began their FIBA U18 Afrobasket campaign with a tough 73-89 defeat against Angola in South Africa.

The Junior Silverbacks kept pace with the Southern Africans in the first half, trailing by just one point at 37-38.

However, Angola seized control in the third quarter with a dominant 22-06 performance, highlighted by a 14-0 run that broke the game wide open.

Angola continued their strong play in the fourth quarter, cruising to a comfortable 16-point victory.

Uganda’s Mukisa Nkugwa led the way with 20 points, while teammates Tejan Joel Rugette and Edrine Ekau chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Angola’s captain, Aginaldo Neto, was the game’s top scorer with 28 points, supported by Matues Abraem (21 points), Manuel Camboma (15 points), and Celestino Augusto (11 points), who all reached double digits.

Angola also dominated the rebounding battle, out-rebounding Uganda 62-42.

Uganda will now face a tough task in their remaining group games against Nigeria and Egypt, where they will need wins to secure a spot in the knockout stages.