Uganda’s national women’s basketball team the Gazelles have an opportunity to advance to the Quarter finals of the 2023 Afrobasket if they can beat a DR Congo side that are ranked 74th in the world.

Having finished 2nd in Group D behind Mali, who won both games, and ahead of 11 times champions Senegal,the Gazelles booked a match up with DR Congo who finished third behind Nigeria and Egypt in Group D.The winner will progress to the Quarterfinals where Rwanda lies in wait.

DR Congo failed to pick up a win but it is important to note that they were always going to struggle against ten times African Champions, Nigeria and 2023 Zone V winners, Egypt who rank 39th in the world.

The Congolese were hammered by the defending champions 69:35 but it is their game against Egypt that caught the eye of most.

Against Nigeria, things just didn’t go the way of Congo with a 11/61, 18% FG, 33 turnovers and only 1 of the 15 attempted 3 point shots falling.

They however made corrections and put up a significantly much improved performance against the North Africans.

They scored 78 points,going 29/82,with 35% FG, 55 rebounds ,only 18 turnovers  and 14 steals.They had 5 players, including 4 starters in double digits.

Mariana Muadi scored 21 points, 8/23 FG, 10 assists and 3 rebounds. Cecile Nyoka scored 19, with an impressive 50% FG.

The Gazelles on the other hand, won a big game against 11 time champions Senegal in a game that went down to the final seconds leaving all parties very tense and anxious.

After losing against Mali, the Gazelles recollected, reflected on their performance and made sure to improve on the areas that had cost them.

The Gazelles put up a far much better game against Senegal and despite the opposition being giants in African basketball, the girls were out to make history for themselves and they did.

Comparison between the 2 games.

Against Senegal, the Gazelles registered more points (85), assists (18), offensive rebounds (20), 18 FT,  FG % (42.5) compared to 66 points, 16 assists, 13 Off rebs, 17 FT and 36.5% FG in the game against Mali.

Additionally,  they registered less turnovers (25) and Personal Fouls (22) compared to 31 and 25 against Mali.

This shows that the girls really improved their game and were ready to do what it takes to get the victory, however the statistics still show that a few areas are still lacking more so on the fouls situation and turnovers.

Gazelles play a Congo side that got 14 steals, scored 23 points off turnovers, 29 fast break points and 14 second chance points all in their previous game. They surely will be looking to capitalise on every opportunity presented to them and thus the Gazelles need to do even much more better.

Key takeaways

Both teams look to make the quarter finals and will be fighting tooth and nail, using all the tricks possible to get the victory.

Congo mostly does work in the paint, 46/78 points against Egypt were all inside. Uganda however has multiple ways of scoring both in the paint, midrange and from deep.

The bench players will also be a big factor, uganda has so far scored 50 bench points while 36 for Congo. With the quality and depth that Uganda have, you expect that the bench players will impact the games greatly just like Lydia Babirye did in the one against Senegal.

Congo has pace and as seen they have scored 42 fast break points compared to 31 by Uganda.

Both team have even number of fouls, Uganda with 47 while Congo with 46. However, It should be noted that the absence of Mellisa Akullu who was fouled out against Senegal greatly impacted the Gazelles, if they are to win this one easily, they have to limit the number of fouls greatly.

The key thing in this game will be the defense, both wil take the game to each other and whoever is more efficient scoring wise will walk away with the victory.

Janon Otto has to come up big for Uganda, and Asinde has to carry on the momentum from the previous game.

Lydia should be given a chance to start in the point guard role, while Clare Lamunu, Mellisa Akullu and Hope Akello are expected to do what they do best.