How Ugandans reacted to Alberto Antuna’s resignation

Following the announcement by Uganda Gazelles head coach Alberto Antuna that he was leaving his role Monday morning, players, administrators and fans have come out to appreciate his efforts.

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.

Victories over Egypt and Senegal will forever be remembered by those who keenly follow Ugandan basketball.

“Thank you coach. We shall forever cherish the good memories we had together. We made history under your stewardship. We wish good luck in your next chapter. God bless you,” FUBA president Nasser Sserunjogi replied to Antuna's post on X, formerly Twitter.

Sserunjogi is the man who hired Antuna and unveiled him in January before February’s FIBA Zone 5 Afrobasket Qualifiers.

Gazelles’ small forward Jannon Otto was the first player to comment and sing praise of the Spaniard.

“The absolute best leader the Gazelles could’ve asked for, forever thankful,” Otto, who was introduced to the team by Antuna, said.

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.

A commanding 80-44 win over Guinea helped Uganda clinch seventh place and will now turn out to be Antuna’s last game with the Gazelles.

A one Ras Innow was left disappointed and went straight to the points: “Not happy about this.”

Antuna stamped his authority on the team from the word go, introducing Jannon Otto, who has since gone on to be Uganda’s best player in two tournaments.

The Spaniard dropped big names, including small forward Zainah Lokwameri and Sarah Ageno.

It now remains to be seen who FUBA will pick to replace Antuna.