The Zone 5 AfroBasket Qualifiers began on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, with Uganda and host nation Egypt claiming impressive victories on the opening day. The tournament is part of the qualification process for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket, where teams are competing for places in the final event next month in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Six teams are taking part in the Zone 5 competition, but only four were in action on the first day. Uganda met South Sudan in Group B, while Egypt faced Tanzania in Group A. Both winning teams made strong starts as they look to secure qualification for the continental championship.
Uganda defeated South Sudan 52-40 after a competitive game that stayed close until the final minutes. South Sudan started well by scoring the first six points of the match and forced Uganda to take an early timeout. The break helped Uganda regain control, and the team answered with a 10-0 run to move ahead. Uganda kept the lead for the rest of the game.
South Sudan continued to fight and reduced the gap to only two points at 42-40 with just over three minutes left. Uganda then tightened its defense and prevented South Sudan from completing the comeback. Strong teamwork and disciplined play helped Uganda finish the game with a comfortable margin.
Point guard Shane Kwizera led Uganda with an outstanding triple-double. He scored 19 points, collected 10 rebounds, made 12 steals, and added four assists. His performance played a key role in the victory and highlighted his impact on both offense and defense.
John Levi Ogiramoi supported the team with 12 points, while Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro added eight points and nine rebounds. Rwuhiriro also protected the basket with several important blocked shots that limited South Sudan’s scoring chances.
South Sudan showed determination throughout the match despite the defeat. Bior Mayen finished as the team’s top scorer with 15 points. Deng Langar recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, helping South Sudan remain competitive until the closing stages.
Later in the day, Egypt delivered the biggest win of the opening round with a dominant 126-32 victory over Tanzania. The home team controlled the game from the opening tip and never allowed Tanzania to challenge.
Egypt displayed strong defense, quick ball movement, and accurate shooting throughout the contest. Every player on the Egyptian roster scored at least two points, while each player spent fewer than 20 minutes on the court. The balanced performance showed the team’s depth and confidence.
Asaad Hendawy led Egypt with 24 points. Ramy Magdy scored 18 points, while Moustafa Aly Shahin added 17. Zeineldin Aly Abdeldaim finished with 14 points, and Mohamed Diab contributed 10 points. Five Egyptian players reached double figures, reflecting the team’s balanced offense.
Egypt also dominated on defense by forcing mistakes and limiting Tanzania’s scoring opportunities. The team converted many defensive stops into fast-break points and maintained a high level of intensity from start to finish.
The opening victories give both Uganda and Egypt strong momentum as the tournament continues. Each game will be important as teams compete for the chance to represent Zone 5 at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket tournament in Abidjan.
The remaining group-stage matches will decide which teams advance and keep their hopes alive. Uganda and Egypt have taken the first step with confident performances, but the qualification race remains open as the tournament moves forward.
