South Sudan secured their second win in FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers by defeating Kenya 86-69, while Egypt triumphed over Uganda 65-62. Delicia Washington starred for South Sudan, and key players in the Egyptian team helped fend off a resilient Ugandan side. Both matches showcased the developing landscape of women’s basketball in Africa, highlighting areas for growth and competitive spirit among the teams.
South Sudan achieved a historic milestone with their second win in FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, defeating Kenya 86-69, who had previously dominated their encounters. This victory marks a significant step for South Sudan in the tournament, following their initial win against Rwanda earlier this year.
Delicia Washington was the standout performer for South Sudan, scoring 26 points alongside 7 assists and 6 rebounds, while Adut Bulgak and Nyamuoch Teny each added 14 points. The game showcased South Sudan’s depth, as their bench contributed 23 points, compared to Kenya’s 3. Their proficiency from the free-throw line, converting 28 of 33 attempts, further highlighted their advantage.
Coach Alberto Antuna expressed pride in the team, acknowledging the importance of improving their 34 turnovers while praising their defensive performance. Adut, the team captain, emphasized the significance of their journey and the drive to secure further victories in the campaign. Meanwhile, Kenya’s coach George Mayienga stressed the need for his team to regroup for their upcoming match against Burundi after acknowledging the errors that cost them the game against South Sudan.
In another matchup, Egypt successfully held off a determined Ugandan team, winning 65-62 despite losing a 14-point lead during the game. Uganda’s Paige Robinson and captain Jane Asinde narrowed the gap with a strong performance, keeping the score close throughout.
Egypt regained a brief lead in the second half but faced a strong challenge from Uganda, who took their first lead at the free-throw line late in the game. Hala Elshaarawy and captain Farida Abdelnabi made crucial layups in the closing stages which secured the win. Coach Amr Elmaraghy noted the need to correct mistakes and improve competitiveness in future matches while Uganda’s coach Nicholas Natuhereza pointed out their struggles with finishing games effectively.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers serve as a crucial competitive platform for women’s basketball teams in the region, emphasizing skill development and team cohesion. South Sudan’s emerging talent and improving game strategy demonstrates their potential, while Egypt’s performance reflects their home advantage and historical prowess in the sport. Each match serves as a valuable learning opportunity and a chance to showcase the growing popularity of women’s basketball in Africa.
In conclusion, South Sudan recorded a significant victory against Kenya, marking their place in AfroBasket history, while Egypt demonstrated resilience in their narrow win over Uganda. Both teams reflect the competitive spirit and growth of women’s basketball in the region, facing challenges and showcasing talent in their respective matches. Moving forward, the focus for all teams will be to address key areas for improvement to enhance their performances in the qualifiers.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
