Uganda: FIBA Women's Afrobasket Zone 5 Pre-Qualifiers Team Profile

Uganda: FIBA Women's Afrobasket Zone 5 Pre-Qualifiers Team Profile

Nicholas Natuhereza's Uganda Gazelles, the national women's basketball team, has intensified its training in Kampala ahead of next month's FIBA Women's AfroBasket Pre-Qualifiers, the tactician banking on a mix of youth and experience to qualify for the continental showpiece.

The Zone 5 Pre-Qualifiers, to be held at the Hassan Mostafa Arena in Cairo, Egypt, from 3-8 February presents a chance for the Ugandan side to make back-to-back appearances on the continental stage.

With the returning Natuhereza having gone for a mix of youth talent and experience, expectations are high for the side slated to go up against reigning champions Egypt, and Burundi, making a return for the first time in over a decade, 2021 zone champions and former African silver medalist Kenya and South Sudan.

The side will be captained by Jane Asinde, one of the most experienced players for the side, currently playing in China. She takes over from long-serving Flavia Oketcho who called time on her international career after last year's Women's AfroBasket.

She has welcomed the coach's decision to incorporate the younger generation, led by players like Maxine Anyango who was key for the U18 side in last year's age-group Women's AfroBasket, along with some international talents who will push the side's agenda in Cairo while also ensuring there's continuity for the national team.

"Just being out here and learning from people with a little bit of experience and then getting the confidence to play at any level is always good," Asinde told FIBA.basketball. "At the moment we have a different squad. We just have to keep building on what we have and trust the coach."

Coach Natuhereza believes having five players who are plying their trade outside the country gives them firepower to execute their game plan.

Among the notable inclusions are foreign-based guard Paige Robinson, who participated in the team’s training camp in Germany last year. Jamila “Zama” Nansikombi, formerly of JKL Lady Dolphins and now based in the United States. China-based Asinde, veteran Claire Lamunu, and Melissa Akullo. While the captain and Jamila are already with the team, the trio is expected to link up with the final squad in Egypt.

"We are focusing on coming up with the final 12 but it is good to have players like Jamila in camp. She brings a lot of experience and exposure. Hopefully, she will catch up with the rest quickly and help us be ready," the tactician told the team's media.

Jamila played for the Dolphins, winning the National Basketball League title in 2018. She represented Uganda in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup (2018) and the African Cup (2017). She moved to the US in 2019, spending two seasons at Moberly Community College before transferring to Troy University and later graduating from New Mexico University.

"This is a new team, but I am excited to put in the work with them. Being on the team is always a blessing. The standards have been set and I want to beat that, not give anything less, and that is a motivation. We want that ticket just like everyone else," Jamila told the team's media.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FUBA]