Uganda’s Women National Basketball Team, the Gazelles, have stormed into the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament following a nail-biting 73–70 overtime victory over 11-time champions Senegal on Monday, July 28, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Group C thriller saw Uganda avenge their long-standing underdog status with a second consecutive win over Senegal, having previously shocked them 85–83 at the 2023 edition in Kigali.

Led by Captain Jane Asinde and sharp-shooter Paige Robinson, the Gazelles mounted a spirited comeback after trailing 9–0 in the opening minutes. Head Coach Nicholas Natuhereza credited the win to the team’s resilience and tactical adjustments.

“We didn’t have a great first quarter, but we didn’t give up. We made adjustments on both ends of the court, and that gave us the opportunity to get easy baskets in transition,” Natuhereza said.

He praised the team’s improved three-point shooting finishing 9-of-23 from beyond the arc and a tighter defensive performance, which turned the tide in Uganda’s favor in the final minutes of regulation and during overtime.

The Gazelles now top Group C after a dominant opening win against Guinea (88–51), with Senegal finishing second and Guinea third. The win secures Uganda a direct ticket to the quarterfinals, scheduled for Wednesday, July 31.

Coach Natuhereza, while celebrating the historic win, urged the team to remain focused.

“Now, we are putting this win behind us and looking ahead to the next one,” he said.

Uganda’s consistent rise on the continental stage has earned them a reputation as giant-slayers, following a surprise seventh-place finish in 2023 and an impressive qualification campaign that included a 74–63 win over hosts Egypt.

The Gazelles will now await their quarterfinal opponents as they continue their quest for Uganda’s first-ever AfroBasket semifinal berth.