The Uganda U18 Women made history after finishing fourth; the highest-ever finish for Uganda at the FIBA U18 Women’s African Championship.

After showing dominion at the Zone V qualifiers, there was a lot of optimism that the team could be a force at the African Championship and they surely lived up to the expectations.

Group Stages

Uganda 85:36 Zimbabwe

Uganda 53:76 Egypt

Uganda 80:64 Nigeria

Despite being the last to arrive at the tournament, Uganda started brilliantly with a victory against Zimbabwe.

The Team had set off from Uganda that very day, and after a few hours of rest, they were in action, but they managed to secure a much-needed victory.

In their second game, they lost to Egypt but there were very many positives.

Uganda forced Egypt into many turnovers and as a result, they managed to score more points f4om turnovers and also got many steals.

The girls also fought till the end and that fighting spirit helped them in the final game of the group stages against Nigeria.

The team trailed by as many as 16 points in the first quarter but the resilience helped them to close out that quarter with an 11-0 run and from there onwards, Uganda was in control.

Quarter-finals

Uganda 69:53 Tunisia

This game was tough one but the team knew what they wanted and they executed the game plan.

Uganda led the game from the first quarter but after a few lapses in defense and offense, their firepower reduced and Tunisia crawled back in the game.

The North Africans capitalized and took the lead just before the end of the third quarter.

Uganda then restrategized in the final quarter, applied pressure defense and Tunisia crumbled, scoring just 7 points to Uganda’s 22.

Semi-Finals

Uganda 67-71 Nigeria

Having defeated Nigeria in the group stages, the confidence was high that they could repeat that.

However, Nigeria had eliminated Egypt in the quarter-finals, a side that defeated them in the group stages and their confidence was also high in getting a result against Uganda.

Nigeria led for most of the game and Uganda was always just within touching distance.

In the final quarter, Uganda made a  lot of mistakes despite being very close and they also missed 7 of 12 free throws.

It was as close as they get but Nigeria managed to see out the victory and get a sweet revenge.

Idubamo Beggi was an unstoppable force for Nigeria, with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Uganda did not have a solution for her and she helped carry her team to the finals.

3rd place Playoff

Uganda 66:70 Cameroon

This was another game where tiredness and fatigue from the players was very evident.

A lot of mistakes were made by the players but despite all that, Uganda still kept within range.

Cameroon had the size and height advantage and they managed to utilized that to the fullest.

They collected 71 rebounds to Uganda’s 39, and that was the difference between the 2 teams because, in other areas, Uganda seemed better.

Damaris Emedie was the biggest problem for Uganda, and she finished with 19 points, 24 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Top Performers for Uganda

Resty Nanangwe 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.8 steals

Modesta Anyango 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 5.2 steals

Shiphrah Kiranda 7.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.5 steals

Even though the team fell short in the final 2 games, a lot of positives were seen and definitely, this year’s team shall have several future Gazelles stars.