The Silverbacks lost their second game at the 2025 Afrobasket after coming up short in a 72-85 defeat to Mali.

Prior to the game, Moni Jacksen was ruled out due to an injury that he sustained against Senegal.

The Silverbacks knew that this absence had a huge impact on the team and that they were going in the game with only 9 players.

To make matters worse, they were undersized compared to the Malians who were also hungry for a victory.

In the first quarter, Uganda was no match for Mali. They were thumped 25-8 and all signs pointed to big victory for Mali.

Mali had 4 3-pointers and scored all their other baskets from around the rim. The Silverbacks seemed to have no solution but all that changed in the second period.

All changed in the second quarter and the Silverbacks worked tirelessly on the defensive end. The 3-point shots also started to drop and in this quarter alone, they scored 4.

For all the defense that Uganda made, they failed to cut off that Malian 3-point ball.

Somehow, Mali kept making shots from distance and that basket from Mahamane Coulibaly with the final possession of the half shows how confident they were from range.

Uganda came to within 7 points but at the end of the half, they trailed 43-31.

The defense of the Silverbacks from the third quarter overflowed into the third.

They limited Mali to just 2 field goals inside the first 5 minutes and made a 14-6 run to close the gap to 4 points.

Mali awoke from that slumber and scored huge baskets, including 2 3-point shots to make it a 10-point game, 61-51, going into the fourth quarter.

The Silverbacks seemed close but so far away.

Every time you felt like they were putting together a run, Mali had a response and they ended up with an 85-72 victory.

John Deng Geu once again came up huge for Uganda scoring 27 points with 10 coming in the second quarter.

After making only 4 points and 0 3-point shots in the first game, Robinson Opong was hot in this game and he finished with 19 points including 4 3-point shots made.

Player Stats

Uganda

John Deng Geu 27 pts, 4 reb

Robinson Opong 19 pts, 4 reb

Jonathan Komagum 4 pts, 13reb, 5 ast

Mali

Mahamane Coulibaly 25 pts, 4 reb

Aliou Fadiala Diarra 12 pts, 10 reb

Siriman Kanoute 7 pts, 10 ast, 6 reb

Mali bounced back after their in the opener and registered their first win at the tournament.

They have a big chance of qualifying to the quarterfinals but their first assignment will be securing a win against Senegal on Saturday.

The Silverbacks’ chances of making the quarter finals or the quarterfinals playoffs none existent.

They face Egypt next on Saturday 16th August.