Uganda’s Gazelles have one final hurdle to clear as they chase a direct spot at this year’s FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
Standing in their way are familiar foes, Egypt, in tonight’s Zone V Qualifiers final at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo.
The stakes could not be higher. Only the winner will secure the coveted straight ticket to the continental tournament set for Abidjan, Ivory Coast in July.
For Uganda, this clash presents an opportunity to settle scores on multiple fronts.
The Gazelles fell narrowly to Egypt 65-62 in the group stage on Tuesday, marking their seventh loss in nine encounters against the North Africans.
But more importantly, they are out to erase the painful memories of 2023’s final in Kampala, where Egypt claimed a 74-65 victory to snatch direct qualification.
Uganda’s journey to this year’s final has been impressive.
Nicholas Natuhereza’s charges head into the decider with a 3-1 record, their only blemish being the loss to Egypt.
They have registered dominant wins over Kenya, South Sudan, and Burundi, including a commanding 66-30 triumph over the latter on Thursday.
That victory allowed the Gazelles a well-earned rest day, a crucial advantage heading into the title showdown.
Egypt Eye Seventh Straight AfroBasket Appearance
Egypt, on the other hand, have maintained a perfect run in the tournament, winning all four of their games.
Led by coach Amr Elmaraghy, the Pharaohs will be banking on home support and experience as they chase a seventh consecutive AfroBasket qualification.
The North Africans have relied on a strong core, with Raneem Elgedawy and Nadine Mohamed leading the charge.
Hala Elshaarawy’s late-game heroics were the difference in their first meeting with Uganda, and Elmaraghy knows his side must be sharper this time.
“There were a lot of mistakes in the game that cannot be repeated against a team as experienced as Uganda,” the Egyptian coach admitted after Tuesday’s clash.
Gazelles Banking on Firepower and Adjustments
Uganda will need to be near perfect to overcome Egypt’s home-court advantage, but they have reasons to be optimistic.
Star forward Jane Asinde has been a standout performer, averaging 18.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
Paige Robinson (15.8 PPG) and the resurgent Jamila Nansikombi, who shone against Burundi with 14 points, add firepower to Uganda’s offensive arsenal.
Melissa Akullu’s growing impact in the paint further strengthens their chances of countering Egypt’s inside presence.
Natuhereza has emphasized the need for improved execution, especially in crunch moments.
“We have been in this position before where we needed to win the last game to qualify and came up short,” he noted. “We will try to get it right this time.”
The Gazelles have a proven ability to rise to the occasion. Last time out, they secured a wild card to the AfroBasket after an impressive qualifiers campaign.
They later outperformed Egypt at the tournament, finishing seventh while their rivals placed ninth.
Who Will Stand Tall?
Uganda’s last win over Egypt came in 2023’s qualifiers (86-85), a reminder that they are capable of upsetting the odds.
The 2014 Zone V final, where Uganda triumphed 78-45, remains their biggest victory in the fixture.
With history, redemption, and a ticket to Abidjan on the line, expect an intense battle in Cairo.
Will the Gazelles avenge their past heartbreaks, or will Egypt extend their dominance? The answer lies in tonight’s final showdown.
