Uganda’s national men’s basketball team, the Silverbacks, narrowly lost 66-69 to hosts Libya in their final FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers game on Sunday but still secured their place at the tournament set for August 12-24, 2025, in Angola.
Despite finishing bottom of Group B with just two wins from six games, Uganda qualified as the best fourth-placed team.
Their crucial opening day victory over Cape Verde proved decisive, helping them to eight points, enough for them to progress to the continental showpiece.
Against Libya in their final game at the Grand Hall in Tripoli however, the Silverbacks had a rollercoaster performance.
They took the first quarter 21-20, dominated the third 16-9, and edged the fourth 18-16. However, a disastrous second quarter, where they were outscored 11-24, proved to be their undoing.
Deng John Geu was the standout performer, leading Uganda with 25 points. Despite his efforts, the Silverbacks failed to manage the game’s critical moments.
With two minutes left on the clock, Uganda briefly took control but a series of careless turnovers, which led to 15 points for Libya, cost them the win.
The loss was Uganda’s second in the final window, following Saturday’s 67-87 defeat to Nigeria, where a poor fourth quarter sealed their fate.
Still, their opening win against Cape Verde was enough to keep their AfroBasket dreams alive.
Libya’s victory against Uganda saw them top Group B with 10 points after securing four wins.
Notably, Nigeria, who lost all three games in the first window, made an impressive comeback, winning all their games in the final window to finish third and qualify for the tournament.
The Silverbacks now joins hosts Angola and 14 other teams, including Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, and defending champions Tunisia, for AfroBasket 2025.
This will be Uganda’s fourth AfroBasket appearance, and the Silverbacks will aim to surpass their 2021 quarterfinal finish as they prepare for the showpiece in Angola.
