FIBA U18 AfroBasket Qualifiers: Uganda’s Junior Silverbacks hold off South Sudan

FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifiers

Friday Results

• Uganda 52-40 South Sudan
• Egypt 126-32 Tanzania

Saturday Fixtures

• Kenya Vs Uganda – 3:30 p
• Tanzania Vs Rwanda – 8:30 pm

The 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifiers got underway on Friday in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Two tickets to Côte d’Ivoire, the hosts of the final tournament from August 5 to 16, are up for grabs.

Uganda’s Junior Silverbacks faced off with the Young Bright Stars of South Sudan in the Group B opener at Cairo Stadium Indoor Hall 2.

Despite being shorthanded, the Junior Silverbacks claimed a 52-40 win but needed a strong defensive effort down the stretch to hold off a determined South Sudan that had chipped away at a double-digit third-quarter deficit to just 2 points (42-40) with just under four minutes to play in the final period.

South Sudan controlled the early stages of the game, scoring six unanswered points and forcing Uganda into a timeout.

The message head coach Daniel “Najja” Jjuuko delivered to the Junior Silverbacks elicited a perfect response from the youngsters as they went on a 10-0 scoring run and never looked back.

While combo guard Shane Kwizera shone with a 19-point, 10-rebound, and 12-steal triple-double, Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro’s effort on the defensive end soared. The center finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, but his contribution was beyond what reflects in the stat sheet.

Uganda forced South Sudan into committing 39 turnovers despite getting outrebounded 55-49.

Bior Mayen netted 15 points to lead the scoring for South Sudan, and Deng Langar had a 10-point and 14-rebound double-double.

Next Up

Group action continues today (Saturday, July 25) as Uganda takes on Kenya at 3:30 p.m. A win for the Junior Silverbacks guarantees them a place in the semifinals, in which they will face the runner-up from Group A, which has Egypt, Rwanda and Tanzania.

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