Mixed emotions during the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2023 classification stage as the Gazelles defeat DR Congo to set their sights on hosts Rwanda.
This edition of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket competition marks the first time Uganda has advanced to the quarterfinal round. This comes after the Gazelles displayed outstanding performance.
Uganda entered the campaign as the underdog in Group C, with Mali and Senegal. Losing to Mali in the opening game did not deter the Gazelles, who went on to defeat Senegal and then DR Congo in the classification round.
Alberto Antuna’s team required a strong third-quarter effort in the classification matchup to break away following a closely contested first half that ended equal (30-30).
DR Congo enjoyed a three-point advantage (15-12) at the end of the first quarter, however, Uganda answered by winning the second quarter 18-15 to guarantee that the scores were even heading into the lengthy intermission.
Uganda started to pull away in the third quarter, winning 23-15, and finished the job with another strong fourth-quarter showing (23-17), winning by 16 points.
Uganda will face Rwanda in the Quarter-Finals with the hopes of making it to the Final Four, a feat they have never achieved in two participations at FIBA Africa’s flagship event for women.
The hopes for the Gazelles are to reach the Final Four for the first time in their two appearances in FIBA Africa’s premier event for women. The winner from this matchup will face the winner of Mozambique versus Nigeria in the semifinals.
