Goran Lojo is with the Uganda National Basketball Team, the Gazelles for the first time since his appointment as head coach by the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) in November 2023.
The Bosnian tactician succeeded the Spanish Alberto Antuna who resigned after guiding the Gazelles to a seventh place finish at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Rwanda in August last year.
Lojo joined the Gazelles for their training camp in Germany where they are on invitation by German Bundesliga side FC Nottingen and he is looking forward to the team’s first impression.
“I watched the AfroBasket last year and Uganda played well especially in the game where they played and beat Senegal,” he said in an interview with the team’s media.
“And during these 10 days we are going to have two good test matches against the Republic of Ireland who are competing in Europe.”
“I believe that until now most of the girls have not played against European opposition which I am sure is different from African basketball and I am looking forward to that,” Lojo added.
The 47-year-old holds vast experience after guiding Herzegonia to the 2021 EuroBasket Championship and the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup finishing fifth and 12th respectively.
FUBA will be hoping that he brings such exposure to Uganda and helps to uplift the Gazelles to greater heights.
“I have not managed in Africa before but I did not hesitate to take up the opportunity given to me by Uganda because I like new challenges,” he noted.
“As a coach I am eager to know all the players and their abilities and I hope we shall create the chemistry needed for the upcoming qualifiers next year and hopefully do better in the finals.”
“I am grateful for this opportunity and I will give my best to see that our team is recognised by the fight from the first to the last minute even when we are on the losing end of games,” Lojo concluded.
The Gazelles will take part in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket qualifiers in February next year and reaching the finals in summer will be Lojo’s target as tasked by his employers.
The Three Scrimmage Games For The Gazelles
Gazelles Vs MTV Stuttgart – July 19
Gazelles Vs Republic of Ireland – July 21
Gazelles Vs Republic of Ireland – July 22
Gazelles Squad
Lydia Babirye, Priscilla Abby, Janon Otto, Hope Akello, Shakira Nanvubya, Mary Amaniyo, Sharon Kirabo, Leslie Vorphal, Paiqe Robinson, Jane Asinde, Sheilah Lamunu, Bridget Aber, Becky Longom, Perus Nyamwenge
