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Antuna’s first big scalp was that of Zone 5 champions Egypt during the 2023 Affrobasket Qualifiers held in Kampala in February.
Uganda Gazelles head coach Alberto Antuna announced Monday morning that he was leaving his role after two major tournaments with the team.
Having taken up the role in January, Antuna was in charge as the Gazelles finished second in the FIBA Zone 5 Afrobasket Qualifiers held in Kampala and seventh at Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda.
Throughout his short stay, the Spaniard managed to lead the Gazelles to six wins in 11 games, losing the other five to relatively stronger opposition.
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10:09 - 16.10.2023
BASKETBALL Alberto Antuna steps down as Uganda Gazelles head coach
The announcement came as a surprise to many, especially after Antuna's successful tenure with the team.
But there are two victories that will forever be remembered by Ugandans due to the opponents these came against.
Antuna’s first big scalp was that of Zone 5 champions Egypt during the 2023 Affrobasket Qualifiers held in Kampala in February.
Having lost their opening game of the qualifiers to Kenya in front of the home crowd, the Gazelles bounced back on Day Two of the tournament to defeat Egypt 86-85 in a nail-biting clash at Lugogo.
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10:43 - 16.10.2023
BASKETBALL NBL Finals Insights: Key Takeaways from the Opening Weekend
The National Basketball League finals have kicked off in style, with both men's and women's teams showcasing their prowess in the first two games.
The Pharaohs would later get their revenge in the gold game, defeating Uganda 74-65 to take the trophy home and clinch the only automatic slot to Afrobasket.
But due to the performance put up by Uganda in the qualifiers, FIBA handed them a wild card to showcase their talents on the continental stage.
Like was the case in the qualifiers, Uganda started the finals on the back foot, falling 80-66 to Mali in their opening Group C game.
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11:53 - 16.10.2023
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Before Game One last Friday, KIU management needed to calm a storm in the camp after a reported strike from the players due to arrears.
And the next opponent could not have been bigger, 11-time champions Senegal, whom the Gazelles edged 85-83 for their biggest win.
From just being a team that needed a wild card to make Afrobasket, Uganda went on to defeat DR Congo 78-62 and qualify for the quarterfinals.
And in the end, a seventh place finish was what Uganda settled for after falling to Rwanda in the quarters and Mozambique in the fifth-place classification game.
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A commanding 80-44 will now turn out to be Antuna’s last game with the Gazelles.
That was for Uganda to clinch seventh place but it is wins over Egypt and Senegal that will remain fresh on the minds of several Ugandan basketball fans.
Uganda Gazelles results under Alberto Antuna
FIBA Zone 5 Afrobasket Qualifiers
Egypt 74-65 Uganda
Uganda 78-70 Rwanda
Uganda 74-53 South Sudan
Uganda 86-85 Egypt
Uganda 53-61 Kenya
FIBA Women’s Afrobasket
Uganda 85-44 Guinea
Uganda 62-88 Mozambique
Rwanda 66-62 Uganda
Uganda 78-62 DR Congo
Uganda 85-83 Senegal
Mali 80-66 Uganda
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