Mandy Juruni names Silverbacks Squad for FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers
David GOMBE
Uganda National basketball team , the Silverbacks head coach Mandy Juruni has named the squad for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The 12-man squad has three debutants who are Marvin Musiime Kamali (Akron Zips),Edrine Ekau (Rezlife Saints) and Blessed Philip Mbogo.
The named team will travel for a residential training camp in Kigali Rwanda on 20th June. The camp will run until June 30th.
After the training camp, the team will depart for Luanda,Angola for the FIBA Africa World Cup qualifiers due to take place from July 2nd to July 5th, 2026.
Uganda is currently bottom of Group D after defeats to Mali, Angola and Egypt in the first window that was played in February and March this year.
It should be noted that the first three teams in each group will prevail to the second round where they will be joined by three teams from the parallel group. Every game is crucial during the qualifying phase with results from the first round carried forward.
During the second round each team will battle three sides coming from the group over two additional windows slated for August 2026 and February 2027. At the climax of the six games, the top two teams in each group along with the best third placed side will prevail to the FIBA Basketball World Cup due next year.
Silverbacks squad – Nike Sibande Dejur Jr, Fayed Baale, Edrine Ekau, Marvin Musiime-Kamali, Robinson Odoch Opong, Blessed Phillip Mbogo, Peter Obleng, Deng Geu, Emmanuel Womala, Jonathan Komagum, Titus Lual Odeke, Joel Paul Kayiira