The national
basketball team Silverbacks begin their world cup journey on Friday with the first phase of the qualifiers due 23-25 in Mali. The 12-man roster includes Betway Power’s Joseph Ikong and the forward believes the team are indebted to the various stakeholders for the support rendered to the game over the years. “It is a great deal for Uganda. It’s an opportunity for Ugandans to see that the game is growing and we are grateful for their support,” Ikong stated shortly after the team arrived in Bamako before adding. “But it opens a window for all Ugandans out there to know that there is continuity at the national team. We started way back and we have new faces today so it’s an opportunity to take part in the qualifiers,”
The Silverbacks open their campaign in Group B against Nigeria on Friday before playing hosts Mali the following day and wrapping up the first round of the qualifiers against neighbours Rwanda. And Ikong reiterated the team will neither have a feeling of anxiety nor excitement. “It is a feeling of responsibility to know that different stakeholders have supported the team from where we come from and it is more of responsibility than anxiety and excitement,” he added.
The Silverbacks require at least two wins or avoid finishing bottom of the four-team group in order to make the final qualification round and Ikong believes the target is achievable. “It’s about hard work and belief we want to work hard take every challenge head on. For us to participate at this level we need to make sure we get two wins,” he explained. The Silverbacks travelled with seven domestic league players including Mark Opio and Stanley Mugerwa who will be making their competitive debuts for the Silverbacks. The team also comprises the trio of Josh Johnson, Samuel Mukooza and Brandon Sebirumbi who last appeared at the 2015 AfroBasket.
Final team: Jimmy Abraham Enabu, Joshua Johnson, Robinson Odoch Opong, Syrus Kiviiri, Mark Opio, Samuel Mukooza, Stephen Omony, Joseph Ikong, James Okello, Stanley Mugerwa, Stanley Ocitti, Brandon Sebirumbi
Silverback’s fixtures at World Cup Qualifiers
March 23: Uganda vs Nigeria
March 24: Uganda vs Mali
March 25: Uganda vs Rwanda
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