Uganda’s women’s national basketball team, the Gazelles, face their sternest challenge yet at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket when they take on 11-time champions Senegal on Monday afternoon, in a crucial Group C decider.
Both sides come into the game unbeaten, having comfortably dispatched Guinea in their respective openers.
Uganda outclassed the West Africans 88-51 in a dominant performance on Sunday, while Senegal cruised to a 92-48 win on Saturday.
The winner of today’s clash will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the loser will have to navigate the classification round for a place in the last eight.
The Gazelles were imperious in their opener, with forward Melisa Akullu delivering a standout performance.
She led all scorers with 26 points and added 7 rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Uganda set the tone early, racing to a 29-19 lead in the first quarter before tightening the screws defensively to take a 45-31 advantage into halftime.
A 22-0 run in the third quarter all but buried Guinea’s hopes, as Nick Natuhereza’s side stamped their authority on the contest.
Skipper Jane Asinde was equally instrumental, finishing with 15 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Perus Nyamwenge, playing as a makeshift point guard, contributed 7 assists and 4 steals in a commanding team performance.
“We knew we needed to secure that win because we have Senegal next, and from then on, the games only get tougher,” said Akullu after the Guinea game.
“Our coaching staff prepared us well, and we came with the right mindset. I’m glad we got the job done.”
But Monday’s challenge is far more formidable. Senegal remain the most decorated team in the competition’s history with 11 titles, even though their last triumph came in 2015.
Since then, the Lionesses have suffered three painful final defeats to Nigeria, including the 2023 edition in Kigali.
Now under the guidance of head coach Otis Hughley Jr., the tactician who led Nigeria to two of their four consecutive AfroBasket titles, Senegal are a team hungry to reclaim their spot at the top of African women’s basketball.
Their pedigree, depth, experience, and physicality make them firm favourites, but Uganda have shown they are not to be underestimated.
“We beat Senegal in 2023, but this is a different team, and the game has grown,” Akullu said ahead of Monday’s clash.
“We’re coming in with a new mindset. We want to take care of the little things: rebound, follow the game plan, execute on both ends of the floor, and if we do that, we can compete.”
Uganda are making their fourth appearance at the Women’s AfroBasket. After finishing 9th in 1997 and 10th in 2015, the Gazelles broke through to finish 7th in 2023.
Now, with a win against Senegal, they can take a huge step toward improving on that mark and cementing their place among the continent’s elite.
The match will be played at the Sports Palace of Treichville in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, tipping off at 3 PM EAT.
