Sunday, July 28
*Mali 108-32 Uganda
*Angola 76-54 Mozambique
*Rwanda 36-42 Tanzania
*South Africa X Egypt
Monday, July 29
*South Africa Vs Mali
*Tanzania Vs Mozambique
*Rwanda Vs Angola
*Uganda Vs Egypt
Uganda lost, to say the least, their opening game at the ongoing biennial FIBA U16 Women’s African Championship in Rwanda.
The Junior Gazelles, debutants at the tourney, were baptised with fire, 108-32, against a five time champion Mali who have won all the five editions since inception.
The reigning champions, inspired by Mariam Coulibaly who bagged 26 points, led the first quarter 31-07 before taking a 54-12 lead at halftime on the road to an easy win.
Mariam Najjuma scored 8 points and 10 rebounds for Uganda but the efforts proved not close enough to rescue the side.
Roger Sserunyigo’s troops now shift focus to three time finalists Egypt in their next encounter.
Elsewhere, Angola won the Lusophone derby against Mozambique while hosts Rwanda lost to Tanzania in the East African rivalry.
Egypt and South Africa’s tie was not played, as the latter never showed up for the opening day.
Competition Format
The teams will be divided into two groups of four. The teams that finish as the bottom two of their groups will compete for the 5th to 8th place while the top two teams will advance to the Semi-Finals.
What’s at stake
The winner and runners-up of the tournament will earn the right to represent Africa at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2020.
