KAMPALA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Uganda says it is set for the 2019 Federation of International Basketball Association World Cup qualifiers.
Mande Juruni, the national coach named the squad that will travel to Lagos, Nigeria for the third window of the first round qualifiers scheduled to start June 29-July 1. Uganda is in Group B with Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda. Nigeria leads the group with six points with the other three on four points each.
"We have made a few changes to the team in relation to the current form of the players," Juruni told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Samuel Kalwanyi who plays College Basketball in the United States has been included on the team.
Shooting guard Jordin Mayes, who is also based in the United States is part of the team. Emmanuel Mugenga, John Deng Geu and Ivan Lumanyika are the other new players to make the trip.
"It is unfortunate we have had to drop some players who were part of the team in Mali for the first leg, but the team is now very competitive and we consider a number of things to select a player," added Juruni.
Uganda who have never played in the World Cup will be looking to maintain the top three place to advance to the final qualifying round.
The team is expected to travel to Turkey on June 14 where they will camp and also play in a build-up tournament where they are grouped alongside Cameroon, Iran and Bahrain. African giants Angola, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait will also take part in the tournament.
"We are glad that the Federation has given us a chance to go and play in a build-up tournament in Turkey before the qualifier. We are well motivated as a team and hope to advance to the next stage," team Captain Steven Omony told Xinhua in an interview.
The squad includes Jimmy Enabu, Syrus Kiviiri, Jordin Mayes, Robinson Odoch Opong, Emmanuel Mugenga, Joseph Ikong, Stephen Omony (Captain), James Okello, Stanley Mugerwa, John Deng Geu, Samuel Kalwanyi and Ivan Lumanyika. Enditem
