Historic Wins for South Sudan and Egypt in FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers
South Sudan celebrated its historic second win in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers with an 86-69 victory over Kenya. Meanwhile, Egypt remained unbeaten after narrowly defeating Uganda 65-62. Both teams aim to improve their performances as they continue in the tournament.
South Sudan achieved its second victory in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, overpowering Kenya with an 86-69 score, a significant win given Kenya’s prior dominance. Meanwhile, host nation Egypt secured their second consecutive win of the campaign, narrowly defeating Uganda 65-62 to remain unbeaten.
In the matchup against Kenya, South Sudan’s Delicia Washington was the standout player, scoring 26 points along with seven assists and six rebounds. Additionally, teammates Adut Bulgak and Nyamuoch Teny contributed 14 points each. South Sudan’s bench proved pivotal, adding 23 points compared to Kenya’s mere three, while South Sudan excelled at the free-throw line, converting 28 of 33 attempts.
Coach Alberto Antuna of South Sudan expressed pride in his team, acknowledging their hard work despite committing 34 turnovers, emphasizing their defensive improvements in the second quarter as key to the victory. Captain Adut Bulgak reiterated their determination to continue fighting for qualification.
On the other hand, Coach George Mayienga of Kenya reflected on their performance against Uganda, noting the team’s struggles with foul troubles and turnovers that ultimately led to their defeat, as they prepare to face Burundi next.
In Egypt’s clash with Uganda, the home team initially surged with a 14-point lead but faced a strong Ugandan response. Uganda’s Paige Robinson and Jane Asinde made significant contributions, narrowing Egypt’s lead. The Egyptians countered, but Uganda continued to fight back, even taking the lead momentarily in the final quarter before Egypt sealed the game with late layups.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers are crucial for national teams in the region as they vie for a position in the broader AfroBasket tournament. This year, South Sudan is making strides, demonstrating significant improvement since their inaugural appearances. Their match against Kenya was particularly noteworthy due to the historical context, marking their second win in this international arena. Egypt, as the host nation, seeks to perform strongly on home soil, combating challenges from competitive teams like Uganda and focusing on maintaining an undefeated record.
In summary, both South Sudan and Egypt secured essential victories in their respective matches during the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers. South Sudan celebrated a historic win against Kenya, showcasing team depth and individual talent, while Egypt demonstrated resilience in overcoming Uganda. Looking ahead, both teams must refine their gameplay—specifically addressing turnovers and defensive strategies—as they strive for continued success in the tournament.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
