The Gazelles will face debutants South Sudan in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket on Thursday at 3PM East African Time, in what promises to be an electric East African derby with a semifinal slot on the line.
Uganda head into the matchup riding a wave of momentum after stunning 11-time champions Senegal 73-70 in overtime to top Group C.
That result earned them an automatic berth in the Last Eight. Paige Robinson was the hero that night, hitting a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer before finishing with 19 points. Captain Jane Asinde (18), Hope Akello (15), and Claire Lamunu (10) also delivered big performances in what was hailed as one of Uganda’s greatest basketball victories.
South Sudan, on the other hand, arrive in the quarters with history already made.
They beat Egypt 75-65 to register their first-ever AfroBasket win and, with it, sealed a place in the last eight.
The comeback win saw Maria Teresa Gakdeng produce one of the tournament’s standout performances—24 rebounds and 19 points in just over 38 minutes—as the Bright Starlets erased a 19-point deficit and stormed into control in the second half.
Both teams are riding high emotionally. For Uganda, the goal is to build on the Senegal scalp and reach their first-ever AfroBasket semifinal. For South Sudan, it’s about writing yet another chapter in a fairytale debut that few expected.
Thursday’s clash will also serve as a Zone 5 grudge match. The two sides are familiar foes in regional qualifiers, but this will be their biggest meeting yet, on the continental stage, with a ticket to the final four at stake.
