We Need To Limit Turnovers – Galanopoulos Ahead Of Morocco

Friday, November 27
*Uganda 77:96 Egypt
*Morocco 73-80 Cape Verde

Saturday, November 28
*Uganda Vs Morocco – 6:30pm
*Cape Verde Vs Egypt – 9:30pm

Silverbacks coach George Galanopolous has urged his team to limit turnovers if they are to stand a chance against Morocco.

The Silverbacks gave away the ball 21 times as they succumbed in the fourth court to fall to the Egyptian Pharaohs on Friday.

Captain Jimmy Enabu who scored a game high 20 points, made eight turnovers on the day.

Silverbacks coach George Galanopoulos. FIBA

“I think both teams played extremely hard, I am not disappointed, the boys were good for every minute of the game,” Galanopoulos said on Friday after the game.

“We just got too sloppy with the ball, turned the ball over way too many times, 21 turnovers is way too many and there is no defence for that.”

Uganda had kept Egypt going in sight, but managed only 16 to Egypt’s 29 points in the fourth quarter.

Deng Geu in action. FIBA

“They got a lot of easy baskets in the fourth quarter specifically, we didn’t do a better job either of keeping them off our glass, they were a much better team,” the coach added.

“We were there, we were in it, we made good shots and I am proud of them. We moved the ball well but it wasn’t enough.

“We need to limit our turnovers, we don’t have to be in a hurry so as we can minimise the mistakes.”

On the night, the Silverbacks made 37 rebounds to Egypt’s 46. The team’s bench managed 18 points while Egypt garnered 50 off the bench.

Ishmail Wainwright attempts a free-throw. FIBA

Ishmail Wainwright who had 14 points, said: “They out-rebounded us, but again we fought to the end, no matter what, even when we were down, we never hung our heads. We were careless with the ball.”

In the other game, Cape Verde stunned 2017 semifinalists Morocco 80-73 to blow the group wide open.

Uganda face wounded Morocco on Saturday before locking horns with Cape Verde on Sunday.

Work cutout for Uganda

This is the first window of the qualifiers – The second window will be played in February next year at a yet to be confirmed venue.

The top three teams in Group E will qualify for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda.

“There is not going to be any shortcuts. We are going to go back and watch the games on film, see where we can do better, rest and let the boys take care of their bodies,” Coach Galanopoulos added.

“Hopefully, I can do a better job of getting the team prepared for what they are going to face because I did not do that today.”

L-R: FUBA Officials Grace Kwizera, Mohammed Santur, Nasser Sserunjogi at Al Ittihad Arena. FIBA

The Silverbacks will continue to be without Emmanuel Mugenga who suffered from a torn ACL in training while Joseph Ikong will need assessment.

Warriors big man Stanley Mugerwa was unused player on the bench and will be expected to play some minutes tonight.

Against Morocco, the Silverbacks face a big mountain to climb against Abdelahi Lahrich who drilled 18 points against Cape Verde while Omar Laanam and Abdelkarim El Haoua will be the other players to watch.


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