If it was just down to pedigree, there would be no contest as the Uganda national basketball team Silverbacks faceoff against heavyweights Nigeria when the 2019 World Cup Qualifying process commences in Mali on Friday evening.
Nigeria were the 2015 African champions in addition to finishing second last year and on three other occasions. The West African country are also seeking a third appearance at the World Cup.
And while that sharply pales in comparison to the Silverbacks that are making a debut appearance in the competition, the contest will not be as straight forward as many might suggest according to the Silverbacks.
“It is a feeling of responsibility to know that different stakeholders have supported the team from where we came from and it is more of responsibility than anxiety and excitement,” Betway Power’s Joseph Ikong stated this week.
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Betway Power captain is one of seven locally based players who are on the team but have gained valuable experience after featuring in the previous two Afrobasket campaigns.
The Silverbacks were unlucky to lose all three group games at the previous edition running Angola, Central African Republic and Morocco close in the 94-89, 57-74 and 79-70 respective defeats.
Guard Robinson Odoch impressed most at the tournament where he averaged a joint fourth high 15.5 points.
“I am proud of how far we have come as Uganda. There is a very big improvement. I am actually very amused. We have a chance to sneak in a couple of wins,” the Ipswich based guard Josh Johnson remarked.
He is among three players including Samuel Mukooza and Brandon Sebirumbi the latter two are returning since last featuring in 2015.
The latter alongside Stanley Ocitti joined up with their teammates on Wednesday to complete the 12-man roster that will be handled by coaches Mandy Juruni, Nicholas Natuhereza as well as Omar Barajab.
In their ranks the Nigerians boast of Ike Diogu who averaged a tournament high 22 points and was voted MVP at the 2015 Afrobasket.
The Silverbacks who are placed in Group B will then play hosts Mali on Saturday before wrapping up the qualifiers against neighbours Rwanda on Sunday.
The top three teams from each group qualify to the 12-team final qualification where five slots will be up for grabs to the finals slated for China next year.
Silverbacks’ fixtures at World Cup Qualifiers
March 23: Uganda vs Nigeria
March 24: Uganda vs Mali
March 25: Uganda vs Rwanda
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