The Uganda U18 women’s basketball team has been drawn against day defending champions Mali in Group B of the FIBA Africa U18 women’s championship that tips off on Friday in Cairo,Egypt.
The Junior Gazelles who confirmed participation on the eve of the start of the tournament will face 4 other teams in group B including defending champions Mali.
The other teams that will play against Uganda are Mozambique, Cote D’Ivoire and North African giants Tunisia.
After Zimbabwe pulling out of the tournament, group A will have four teams including hosts Egypt. The other teams in group A are Algeria, Madagascar and Angola.
The preliminary phase of the tournament will be played in a round robin format with the top four teams in each group will qualify for the quarter finals. The finalists will represent Africa at the FIBA U19 world championship in Turin,Italy next year.
The Junior gazelles team will constitute of only seven players with the other five players who were summoned having engagements with their respective schools at the East African secondary school games in Eldoret,Kenya.
Mali who are record champions (5 times) defeated Egypt 70-60 to win the previous edition in 2014.
Junior gazelles team;
Patience Akankunda
Melissa Akullo
Joan Namatovu
Hajjara Najjuko
Aliya Naluyima
Rita Salafina Dulisira
Brenda Edith Ayere
Coach: Martin Kelly
Leader of delegation: Grace Kwizera
The Junior gazelles will play in group B against defending champions Mali.