Uganda’s men’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, made a bold statement in the FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers with a thrilling 63-60 victory over Group B leaders Cape Verde at the Grand Hall in Tripoli, Libya, on Friday.
The hard-fought win not only avenged Uganda’s narrow 78-73 loss to Cape Verde in the first qualification window last year in Tunisia but also breathed new life into their quest for a fourth consecutive AfroBasket appearance.
The Silverbacks burst out of the gates with intensity and precision, racing to a commanding 22-12 lead in the first quarter.
Key to this early momentum was Ishmail Wainright, who was making his return to the squad after missing the first window, and sharpshooter Robinson Opong, who combined for 19 points in the opening half.
Cape Verde, however, proved why they topped the group, adjusting defensively in the second quarter and holding Uganda scoreless for nearly five minutes.
Despite Uganda managing just six points in the period, they clung to a 28-24 halftime lead.
The third quarter evolved into a shootout, with both teams trading baskets. Opong caught fire, sinking three shots from beyond the arc and adding a floating jump shot to keep Uganda ahead 50-47 heading into the final stretch.
Cape Verde momentarily grabbed the lead late in the fourth quarter when Kenneti Mendes drilled a two-pointer with three minutes left on the clock.
But Uganda, undeterred, responded through Tonny Drileba, who nailed a clutch three-pointer to restore their advantage.
Opong, who finished with a game-high 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting from three-point range, and Wainright, who added 16 points and seven rebounds, anchored Uganda’s offense.
Drileba contributed six points and six rebounds, including that pivotal late three-pointer.
For Cape Verde, Betinho Gomes led with 16 points, while Mendes added 12, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their first loss of the qualifiers.
“This was a massive win for us,” said Silverbacks head coach Mandy Juruni. “We knew we had to start this window strong, and the boys delivered under pressure. There’s still work to do, but this puts us in a great position.”
The result lifts Uganda to two wins in Group B, reigniting hopes of booking a spot in the AfroBasket finals set for Angola later this year.
The Silverbacks return to action on Saturday against Nigeria, who they defeated 72-62 in the first window.
A victory would all but guarantee Uganda’s qualification, with their final game coming against hosts Libya on Sunday.
