South Sudan achieved a historic second victory in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers by defeating Kenya 86-69. Egypt also secured a narrow 65-62 win against Uganda, remaining perfect in the qualifiers. Both teams demonstrated resilience and significant improvements, setting the stage for future competitions.
In a momentous achievement, South Sudan celebrated its second victory in the history of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, defeating Kenya 86-69. This impressive win comes after their first success against Rwanda earlier in the competition. Delicia Washington played a pivotal role, scoring 26 points and contributing significantly in assists and rebounds, while the South Sudan bench provided vital scoring support.
Despite the loss, Kenya’s Victoria Reynolds and Natalie Mwangale led their team offensively with 19 and 15 points, respectively. South Sudan demonstrated exceptional prowess at the free-throw line, converting 28 of 33 attempts compared to Kenya’s struggling 11 of 23. Coach Alberto Antuna expressed pride in his team’s performance and highlighted aspects they need to improve, particularly addressing their high number of turnovers.
Hosts Egypt maintained their unbeaten record by narrowly overcoming Uganda with a 65-62 victory. Egypt started strong, holding a 14-point lead early on, but Uganda’s tenacity brought them within one point at halftime. Notably, Paige Robinson and captain Jane Asinde significantly contributed to Uganda’s resurgence, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.
In the closing minutes, Egypt’s Hala Elshaarawy and captain Farida Abdelnabi executed crucial plays that ultimately secured their victory. Coach Amr Elmaraghy recognized the need for improvement in securing leads and reducing turnovers. Conversely, Uganda’s coach Nicholas Natuhereza emphasized the importance of better finishing in close games.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers serve as a critical platform for African nations to showcase their basketball talents and vie for positions at international competitions. With South Sudan and Egypt representing their respective countries, these matches are essential for developing women’s basketball in the region. The recent games highlighted the growing competitiveness among the teams, particularly South Sudan, in their quest for advancement and recognition.
The outcomes of these qualifiers reflect the evolving landscape of women’s basketball in Africa. South Sudan’s historic second win against Kenya marks a significant milestone, serving as a testament to their growth. Meanwhile, Egypt’s ability to withstand Uganda’s challenge illustrates their determination to maintain dominance in the region. Both teams, despite the challenges faced, are committed to improving their performance moving forward.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
