Uganda and Egypt clinched vital victories in the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers, setting up a final showdown. Uganda defeated Burundi 66-30, while Egypt overcame South Sudan 85-64. Both teams have ensured their places in the final, with Uganda resting before the weekend’s match and Egypt preparing to face Kenya in their final group stage game.
In the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers, Uganda secured a significant victory over Burundi with a score of 66-30, securing their place in Saturday’s final. Meanwhile, host nation Egypt maintained their winning streak by overcoming South Sudan 85-64. Both teams have now confirmed their positions in the top two for the final showdown, with Uganda enjoying a rest day and Egypt set to face Kenya in their last group match.
In a competitive match against Egypt, South Sudan initially led 20-19, aiming to recover from a prior loss to Uganda. However, Egypt rallied in the second quarter, outscoring South Sudan 25-16, aided by standout performances from Raneem Elgedawy and Meral Abdelgawad. Despite South Sudan’s strong start, Egypt dominated in several key areas, including points off turnovers and bench scoring, ultimately closing the game with a 17-16 finish in their favor.
Uganda’s triumph over Burundi was characterized by a remarkable comeback after a slow start. The Ugandan team, initially trailing 17-14, later stifled Burundi’s offense, allowing only 13 points for the remainder of the match. Key contributions from Jamila Nansikombi and Melissa Akullu were pivotal in Uganda’s performance, as coach Nicholas Natuhereza expressed satisfaction with the team’s resilience, despite acknowledging a lack of mental preparation at the game’s onset.
Burundi’s struggles continued as they remained winless in three matches. Coach Arséne Mfuranzima expressed optimism about using the lessons from earlier games to improve against South Sudan in their remaining match. Additionally, player Ines Kanyamuneza highlighted the need for patience on the ball, which proved essential in sticking to their game plan and avoiding unnecessary errors.
The Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers serve as a critical tournament in women’s basketball, featuring competitive teams from East African nations. This event is crucial for teams seeking to secure a spot in international competitions. The performances of Uganda and Egypt have been notable, with both teams showcasing their strengths and strategies as they aim for the championship title in the concluding match.
In summary, Uganda and Egypt have both earned their places in the finals of the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers. Uganda’s impressive comeback and Egypt’s sustained dominance against South Sudan illustrate their readiness for competition. With Egypt set to face Kenya and Uganda awaiting the final matchup, excitement builds for the culmination of this crucial tournament.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
