South Sudan triumphed over Kenya, securing the bronze medal in the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers with an 80-63 victory. Despite a strong effort from Kenya in the second quarter, South Sudan maintained control in the game, with standout performances, particularly from Rose Macuei. This marks a significant improvement for South Sudan following their winless debut in 2021, while Kenya finishes fourth after being regional champions in 2021.
South Sudan secured a significant victory over Kenya, concluding their participation in the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers with a bronze medal. This match, held at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo, marked their second consecutive win against Kenya, with a final score of 80-63. A strong performance in the first half propelled South Sudan to a commanding lead, overcoming mid-game pressure to finish the contest effectively.
With this win, South Sudan concluded the year with a 3-2 record. In contrast, Kenya, who were regional champions in 2021 and previously African silver medallists, finished the tournament in fourth place after securing a victory over Burundi. Despite a commendable comeback attempt in the second quarter, Kenya was unable to overcome their substantial deficit.
The turning point in the game occurred early in the second quarter when Kenya, trailing by 19 points, rallied through nine successful three-pointers from Christine Akinyi and Jemimah Omondi, narrowing the gap. Victoria Reynolds closed the half bringing Kenya to a 44-38 score, yet a critical three-pointer from Adut Bulgak reinstated a nine-point lead for South Sudan at halftime, which they maintained through a strong second half.
Rose Macuei delivered an outstanding performance, achieving a double-double with 18 points and 19 rebounds, resulting in a remarkable efficiency rating of 30. Notably, she contributed two assists and two steals, pivotal in South Sudan’s success. Teammates Delicia Washington, Nyamuoch Pidor Teny, and Adut Bulgak also shone, scoring 25, 18, and 12 points respectively, with Teny also achieving a double-double by securing 11 rebounds.
The statistics highlight that Kenya’s performance suffered as they trailed by 19 points from the outset and failed to recover. South Sudan notably excelled in rebounding, outrebounding Kenya 56-41 and scoring 25 second chance points against Kenya’s 8. Both teams tied on points in the paint with 26 each and off turnovers with 19. However, Kenya’s bench contributed significantly more than South Sudan’s, scoring 21 points compared to just 3.
The progress of South Sudan is evident since their winless debut in 2021, as they managed to secure one win in 2023 against Rwanda and have now achieved three wins to claim bronze in 2025. Unfortunately for Kenya, this defeat results in them missing the African competition once again, falling from third place in the Qualifiers in 2023 to fourth in the current tournament.
This report will continue to be updated as further details arise.
The Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers serve as a crucial platform for women’s basketball teams in Africa, allowing them to compete for a place in the African Championship. South Sudan and Kenya, both active competitors in this tournament, displayed varied performances reflecting their current standings in women’s basketball. South Sudan emerged from a challenging debut in 2021 to secure a bronze medal in 2025, whereas Kenya, previously a strong contender, faced setbacks this time around.
In summary, South Sudan’s victory over Kenya not only marks their improvement in women’s basketball but also highlights the competitive nature of the sport in the region. South Sudan’s journey from a winless debut to achieving a bronze medal signifies their growth and potential in future competitions. Conversely, Kenya’s inability to progress beyond the fourth position reflects ongoing challenges as they aim to reclaim their past status in African women’s basketball.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
