New cast as Gazelles start Zone V preps

KAMPALA. Incoming coach Nick Natuhereza has indicated a change in approach as the national women basketball team seeks a quick return to the FIBA AfroBasket Women championship in Mali later this year.
Natuhereza, assisted by Ali Mavita, replaced Timothy Odeke as Gazelles head coach following changes announced by the domestic federation Fuba early this week summoned a host new faces for the team preparing for the Zone V qualifiers.
The trio of Rita Imanishimwe Zainah Lokwameri and Sarah Ageno who helped UCU Lady Canons to a sixth title will be joined by A1 Challenge duo of Stella Nanfuka and Dorothy Kyamazima.
The five will join an experienced cast that includes Flavia Oketcho Maureen Amoding in the provisional roster for the home based players.
There was however no place for former captain Vicky Ntale and KCCA experienced duo of Monica Siima and Rebecca Akullo.
The team is preparing for the Zonal championship due March 12-18 in Cairo where the top two teams will qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket Women championship.
Uganda are the defending champions of the Zone V region having topped Egypt, and Kenya at the previous edition held in Uganda in 2014.
The Gazelles went on to finish 10th out of 12 countries at AfroBasket defeating South Africa and Algeria at the tournament hosted by Cameroon.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD
UGANDA GAZELLES
Flavia Oketcho, Maureen Amoding,
Muhayimina Namuwaya ,
Martha Soigi (KCCA),
Sylvia Nakazibwe (Javon),
Stacey Lubowa (MUK), Judith Nansobya, Rita Imanishimwe, Zainah Lokwameri, Sarah Ageno (UCU), Angella Namirimu, Jamillah Nansikombi, Lynn Nalunkuma (JKL) Dorothy Kyamazima (A1),
Stella Nanfuka (A1)

[email protected]