The Uganda national basketball team, the silverbacks have beaten Cameroon 80-66 at the Kigali Arena today afternoon to register the country’s first-ever win at the Afrobasket Championship.

Arthur Kaluma starred with 12 points and 5 rebounds to spur Uganda to the win and guarantee their slot among the 12 teams that will participate in bracket play that begins on Monday, just a day after the final game of their group against neighbours South Sudan.

Uganda were quick out of the blocks, with a basket and an assist by Kaluma ensuring that they took a quickfire 6-0 lead, and they never fell behind for the rest of the game.

They led 27-22 after the first quarter and 44-33 at halftime before extending their lead by four points after the third quarter, after winning it 18-14. 

They wrapped up the historic win in the last quarter despite losing it 18-19.

The win will come as a huge inspiration to this group of players who faced uncertainty over their participation in the tournament following financial difficulties which were sorted out at the last hour.

Even their participation in this game was uncertain after COVID-19 results for the Cameroonians, who had conceded a walkover to South Sudan in their first game after 5 of their players tested positive, returned late.

Any misgivings were however soon dealt away with as the silverbacks swept to this huge victory which will bring boundless joy to their victory-starved fans back in Kampala.

Photo: gocreighton.com