South Sudan achieved a historic second win in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket qualifiers, defeating Kenya 86-69, while Egypt held onto their perfect record, edging Uganda 65-62. Key contributions from players highlighted both matches, underscoring areas for improvement as the teams move forward in the tournament.
In a remarkable display at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, South Sudan secured their second ever victory, defeating Kenya with a score of 86-69. This victory marks a significant achievement for the team, which previously won against Rwanda earlier this year. Delicia Washington led South Sudan with an impressive performance, scoring 26 points, while additional contributions came from Adut Bulgak and Nyamuoch Teny, each adding 14 points.
Egypt maintained their undefeated status in the qualifiers by narrowly edging out Uganda with a final score of 65-62. After initially building a 14-point lead, the hosts struggled to fend off a resilient Ugandan squad. Key players for Egypt included Hala Elshaarawy and captain Farida Abdelnabi, who delivered crucial baskets in the closing moments, ensuring their team’s victory.
The triumph for South Sudan was hailed by Coach Alberto Antuna, who underscored the importance of teamwork and their ability to adapt defensively during the game. Of concern, however, were the 34 turnovers committed by the team, an area requiring improvement. In contrast, Uganda’s Coach George Mayienga expressed disappointment over the team’s inability to capitalize on early momentum and emphasized the need to address their foul trouble and rebounding deficiencies.
Coach Amr Elmaraghy of Egypt acknowledged the first quarter’s strong defensive performance but noted lapses in the second quarter that allowed Uganda to regain composure. There remains a focus on refining their game as they prepare for upcoming matches. Uganda’s Coach Natuhereza recognized Egypt’s superior execution in final moments, indicating the need for his team to enhance their end-game strategies.
This article focuses on the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, highlighting the performances of South Sudan and Egypt. South Sudan achieved a significant milestone with their second victory in the tournament’s history, showcasing the development of women’s basketball in the region. Meanwhile, Egypt, as the host nation, continued to assert their dominance, facing challenges from Uganda that showcased the competitive nature of the tournament. The qualifiers serve as a platform for these teams to enhance their skills and compete on an international level, with implications for future tournaments.
In summary, South Sudan celebrated a historic second win against Kenya, while Egypt maintained their perfect record by narrowly defeating Uganda. Both teams demonstrated resilience under pressure, with individual players making notable contributions to their respective teams. Improvement areas were identified by both coaches, indicating the need for continued development as they approach further qualifiers.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
