Uganda and Egypt Secure Final Spots in Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers

In the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers, Uganda secured a spot in the finals with a 66-30 win over Burundi, while Egypt defeated South Sudan 85-64 to maintain their perfect record. Both teams are set for the final, with Uganda having a rest day before the match against Egypt. Each match showcased the teams’ strengths and strategic plays, emphasizing the excitement in African women’s basketball.

In the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers, Uganda secured their spot in the finals with a decisive 66-30 victory over Burundi. Following closely, the home team Egypt maintained their perfect record by defeating South Sudan with an 85-64 score. With both teams assured of competing in the final, Uganda will have a rest day while Egypt prepares to face Kenya in their last group match.

The match between Egypt and South Sudan saw a surprising start from the latter, who led 20-19 after the first quarter. Egypt’s team countered effectively with strong performances from Raneem Elgedawy and Meral Abdelgawad, who helped propel their team to a 25-16 comeback in the second quarter. Ultimately, Egypt dominated with a significant gap by the end of the third quarter, leading 68-48, despite a final push from South Sudan in the last quarter.

Uganda’s coach Nicholas Natuhereza acknowledged his team’s slow start against Burundi, noting they trailed 17-14 initially. However, they shifted gears and held Burundi to just 13 points for the rest of the game, securing their victory. Jamila Nansikombi and Melissa Akullu were instrumental for Uganda, scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Burundi’s performance was marred by a lack of execution, with coach Arséne Mfuranzima hoping their past experiences would enhance their performance against South Sudan in their final game. Player Ines Kanyamuneza emphasized the team’s struggle with patience under pressure, which hindered their adherence to the game plan.

As the tournament draws to a close, Uganda and Egypt will meet in the final, both showcasing their skills throughout the qualifiers. The competition has highlighted the teams’ strengths and areas for improvement, emphasizing the excitement of African women’s basketball on the broader stage.

The Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers serve as a crucial tournament for teams aiming to secure their spot in the finals. Hosted in Cairo, this event features key teams including Uganda, Egypt, South Sudan, and Burundi, who are vying for the championship through a round-robin format. Strong performances and strategic plays are vital as teams position themselves for the final showdown, showcasing the growing talent in African women’s basketball.

The Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers have successfully pitted Uganda and Egypt against each other for the championship final, following their respective victories over Burundi and South Sudan. These matches underscored the competitive spirit of the teams while exposing areas for development ahead of the final. With Uganda’s strategic comeback and Egypt’s strong defensive plays, the final promises to be an engaging contest.

Original Source: www.fiba.basketball