Angola blew the Uganda Silverbacks away 95-62 on Thursday night in the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers. The game, held at the Kampala Arena, saw the visitors surge ahead early and never look back.
Selton Miguel opened the scoring for Angola, stirring the crowd with a quick three‑pointer that set the tone. The Silverbacks managed to stay within reach during the first half, trading baskets and keeping the deficit under ten points at the break. Yet the half‑time whistle proved a turning point – Uganda’s rhythm collapsed, and Angola seized control.
How did Angola pull away after the break?
The second half belonged entirely to Angola. Their defence tightened, forcing turnovers that turned into easy fast‑break points. Miguel kept the pressure on, adding a flurry of drives and mid‑range shots. Uganda’s shooting percentage sputtered; they missed more than half their attempts and struggled to convert free throws. By the end of the third quarter, Angola had stretched the lead to 30 points, and the Silverbacks could only watch.
Coach Timothy Odhiambo tried to spark a comeback, rotating his bench and urging faster transitions, but the gap was too wide. Angola’s bench depth shone as fresh legs kept the tempo high, while Uganda’s bench offered little impact. The final whistle confirmed a 33‑point loss – a humiliating defeat for a team hoping to secure a World Cup berth.
What does this loss mean for Uganda’s qualification hopes?
The defeat puts the Silverbacks in a precarious position in the group. With only a handful of matches remaining, every point matters, and a loss of this magnitude hurts both morale and net‑run differential – a key tiebreaker in FIBA qualifiers. Odhiambo will need to regroup quickly, perhaps re‑evaluating defensive schemes and redefining offensive sets before the next outing.
Will Uganda bounce back in the next qualifier?
Uganda can still salvage their campaign if they tighten up defensively and improve shooting efficiency. The talent is there; the Silverbacks have shown flashes of competence. It’s now a test of character and coaching adjustments. The next matchup will be a crucial litmus test – can they claw back into contention or will Angola’s dominance continue to loom?
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Source: Kawowo Sports
