FIBA World Cup Qualifiers | Fixture
- Angola vs Uganda – 9PM
As Uganda prepares to run onto the floor in their FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers opener, captain Robinson Opong has sent a clear message to his teammates: desire is common, but execution is rare.
Facing Angola that has for long sat at the high table of African basketball, Opong isn’t interested in moral victories but looking for a tactical masterclass.
“We need to start very strong and be hard on defence and control the boards,” Opong said.
“It’s about execution. Everybody wants to win but we need to be tactical and intentional about every aspect of our defensive and offensive priorities,” he added.
The emphasis on controlling the boards is no coincidence. In the past engagements, the Silverbacks have been haunted by second-chance points. Tonight, Opong expects a better approach.
While roaster turnover has been a great challenge, Uganda come into this window with a sense of familiarity. The core of the team has been through previous cycles together.
“Its good to have some continuity in the group. We know each other better, so we need to keep focused on what we have been talking about. We need to work as a team and produce,” he noted.
If the Silverbacks can turn optimism into a disciplined 40 minutes of basketball, the opening night in Egypt could provide the first major shock of the qualifiers.