Afrobasket: Uganda vs South Sudan, Preview and Permutations Of Group B

Sunday, August 29
*Kenya Vs Mali – 1pm
*Nigeria Vs Ivory Coast – 4pm
*South Sudan Vs Uganda – 7pm
*Senegal Vs Cameroon – 10pm

*(Games live on Sanyuka TV and StarTimes Life)


The Ugandan men national basketball team, the Silverbacks, will be looking to go all out in a quest to confirm their Group position at the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket when they lockhorns with East African neighbours, South Sudan, on Sunday August 29th at the Kigali Arena.

The rejuvenated hope arises thanks to their convincing bounce back to win 80-66 against a downtrodden Cameroon side on Friday last week in the aftermath of an uncharacteristic showing in the opener that saw them lose 93-58 to Senegal.

The win against Cameroon marked the country’s second at the coveted tournament since making their debut during the 2015 edition.

The result all but confirmed the Silverbacks chances to advance to the next stage.

L-R: George Galanopoulos and Ishmail Wainright. Isa Mapengo photo

“We went out and played one hell of a game,” head coach George Galanopoulos said to the media after the victory.

“Credit goes to our players for showing resilience and stuck to the principles to make it count. We still have a lot of things to correct but the boys were locked in at the defensive end.

“There was togetherness in the way these guys played. These guys are fighters and are always expectant to win everytime we hit the floor.”

This mouthwatering victory put the Silverbacks in third place of Group D with South Sudan sitting second merely by a whisker courtesy of their superior points difference.

South Sudan gained a 20-00 forfeiture win against bottom-placed Cameroon in their tournament opener.

Tonny Drilleba. Isa Mapengo photo

The East African team (South Sudan) are simply on their debut at the Afrobasket tournament and were more than welcoming to the backroom decision that granted them points without having to step on court against Cameroon who had registered five Covid19 cases.

Their second game however brought a baptism of fire as Senegal took them to the cleaners with a 104-75 overpowering on Friday last week despite the admirable fight from the youngest nation on the continent.

South Sudan will now set their sights on Uganda with trust falling on the shoulders of stars like: Teny Bak Puot, Dhieu Abwok and Kuany Ngor Kuany. They might just fancy their chances against Uganda in what is now growing as a regional sporting rivalry.

Ntaional team managers Grace Kwizera and Hajji Mohamed Santur. Mapengo photo

George Galanopoulos will on the other hand be banking on the trio of Ishmail Wainright, Arthur Kaluma and Adam Seiko (who was by far the best player on court against Cameroon) to get the job the done.

An introduction to the floor for players like Tony Drilleba, Keiran Zziwa, James Okello, Robinson Opongo and the ever so industrious Jimmy Enabu along with the defensively oriented Deng Geu will just about provide the necessary restitution for the Silverbacks.

Senegal however still mountain their grip at the top of Group D and will be favourites to reach the quarterfinals stage as the group games head to the final bend.

The group leader automatically advances to the quarterfinal stage while both number two and three will have a second chance to book their place to the stage through a qualifying round.

The fourth and bottom team in the group will face an automatic eliminat

In the event that the Silverbacks finish second or third, they will have to negotiate a showdown with a third or second placed team in that order from Group C. This group has teams: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya and Mali.

Group D Permutations:

table by FIBA

Rules for classification:
*Points
*Head-to-head results
*Points difference
*Points scored

Senegal

  • Will finish among the top three teams whatever the results Sunday fixtures bring.
  • Need just a participation point against Cameroon to guarantee their a top place in Group D and an automatic advancement to the quarterfinals.

South Sudan

  • Guaranteed of a place in top three
  • To finish as Group winners, they must win against Uganda, pray that Senegal fails to show up.
  • If Senegal plays, South Sudan will finish number two with a win or third with a loss.

Uganda

  • Guaranteed of a place in top three
  • To finish as Group winners, they must beat South Sudan, pray that Senegal loses against Cameroon, and finish with a better points difference.
  • If Senegal plays, Uganda will finish number two with a win or third with a loss.

Cameroon

  • Can no longer finish above 4th whatever the results.
Silverbacks guard Eric Zziwa. Mapengo photo

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