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The Ugandan side led in only the second quarter leading it 16-9, while the Mali side led the first quarter 17-12, third quarter 24-23 and the last quarter 29-25. The game ended 79-76 in Mali's favor.
Mali's Makan Keita made a game high 22 points, while Mohammad Kante made 15 points. For the Ugandan side, Robinson Odoch Opong made 18 points, while Stanley Ocitti made 16 points.
Uganda now face a tough fight with Neighbors Rwanda in a major decider today. Although Uganda has lost two of its games to Mali and Nigeria, Rwanda stopped Mali and lost to Nigeria.
During the last game at the FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers 2017 in Cairo, Uganda stopped Rwanda 77-64, securing automatic qualification for the Finals hosted by Senegal and Tunisia. Rwanda benefited from a FIBA Africa wild card to join the 16-team event.
Uganda needs to be in the top three in group B to advance to the next stage. Uganda is grouped alongside hosts Mali, Nigeria and neighbours Rwanda.
In other games played yesterday, Ivory cost stopped Senegal 67-60, Nigeria stopped Rwanda 108-53, while Mozambique stopped Central African Republic 59-52.
The Second round of the games is to be played in June this year, with Uganda hosting the games. Five tickets are at stake for the African teams to qualify for the FIBA World Cup Basketball to be played in China in 2019.
