South Sudan achieved a historic win against Kenya (86-69) in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, marking their second victory ever. Meanwhile, Egypt maintained their perfect record with a narrow win over Uganda (65-62). Both teams showcased their strengths but recognized areas for improvement ahead of upcoming matches.
South Sudan secured their second-ever victory in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers by defeating Kenya with a convincing score of 86-69. This match marked a significant milestone, considering Kenya had won their prior encounters. Meanwhile, Egypt triumphed over Uganda 65-62, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
In a remarkable performance, South Sudan’s Delicia Washington led her team with 26 points, alongside contributions from Adut Bulgak and Nyamuoch Teny, each scoring 14 points. The team’s ability to generate bench points was pivotal, highlighting their depth, as their substitutes accounted for 23 points compared to Kenya’s mere three. Despite risking 34 turnovers, coach Alberto Antuna expressed pride in his team’s defensive efforts and overall adaptability during the match.
Egypt initially commanded the game but allowed Uganda to stage a dramatic comeback. After leading by 14 points, Uganda narrowed the gap to a single point at halftime. Despite Egypt re-establishing a lead, Uganda remained competitive, briefly taking the lead at 51-50. Ultimately, Egypt relied on crucial late-game baskets from Hala Elshaarawy and Farida Abdelnabi to secure their victory.
In the aftermath of the matches, both coaches pointed out areas needing improvement. Coach Antuna noted the necessity of remedying their high turnover rate, while Egypt’s coach Amr Elmaraghy emphasized the importance of sustaining competitive performance throughout all quarters. Uganda’s coach Nicholas Natuhereza acknowledged the need for his team to refine their ability to finish games effectively.
The outcomes of these matches reflect the evolving landscape of women’s basketball in the region, emphasizing both South Sudan’s emergence as a competitive force and Egypt’s ability to handle pressure as hosts. The tournament continues, with teams seeking to adapt and improve ahead of their upcoming fixtures in pursuit of success in the qualifiers.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers represent an essential platform for eastern African nations to showcase their talents on an international stage. As teams compete for a coveted spot in the AfroBasket tournament, the stakes are high, and every match presents a critical opportunity for growth and achievement. The recent performances of South Sudan and Egypt illustrate the competitive spirit and potential of women’s basketball in the region, highlighting notable achievements and areas for development within their respective squads.
In conclusion, South Sudan’s historic victory over Kenya and Egypt’s hard-fought match against Uganda underscore the competitive nature of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers. Both teams demonstrated resilience and skill, yet they also acknowledged the challenges they faced, particularly regarding turnovers and game management. Moving forward, these experiences will be crucial as they prepare for their next matches in the tournament, striving for success in representing their countries.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
