Uganda and Egypt secured crucial victories in the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers, advancing to the final scheduled for Saturday. Uganda triumphed over Burundi with a score of 66-30, while Egypt defeated South Sudan 85-64. Both teams are in strong positions as they prepare for their final matches in the tournament, with Egypt to face Kenya and Uganda having a rest day before the final showdown.
On Day Four of the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers, Uganda secured their spot in the final with a decisive 66-30 victory over Burundi. Meanwhile, the host nation Egypt maintained their unbeaten streak by defeating South Sudan 85-64. Both teams confirmed their places in the top two finals, with Egypt set to face Kenya in their final group match, while Uganda enjoys a rest day on Friday.
In the match between Egypt and South Sudan, the visitors initially led 20-19 after the first quarter. However, Egypt rebounded effectively in the second quarter, outscoring South Sudan 25-16, with key contributions from Raneem Elgedawy and Meral Abdelgawad. The match concluded with Egypt extending their dominance in the paint and capitalizing on turnovers, ultimately leading to a 68-48 score entering the final period.
Nadine Mohamed, a player for Egypt, remarked, “We didn’t have a good start but our bench brought back the energy, allowing us to make a comeback. Our focus is on the upcoming game against Kenya, as it will serve as preparation for the final against a strong team.” On the South Sudan side, Nyamuoch Teny emphasized their determination to fight until the end of the tournament.
Uganda, under coach Nicholas Natuhereza, overcame a sluggish start against Burundi to secure their final berth. Initially trailing 17-14, they overwhelmed Burundi in the later quarters, allowing only 13 points for the remainder of the game. Key players included Jamila Nansikombi and Melissa Akullu, scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Coach Natuhereza acknowledged the team’s initial complacency, stating, “We were not mentally ready after our earlier win, which led to a slow start. However, I am pleased we did enough to secure the victory.” Following their third consecutive loss, Burundi’s coach Arséne Mfuranzima expressed hope that lessons learned could improve their performance against South Sudan in the final group stage.
Ines Kanyamuneza of Burundi reflected on their struggle with patience and adherence to their game plan, noting that attempting to catch up ultimately hindered their performance.
The Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers serve as a crucial competitive platform for national teams in the region. The tournament format involves a round-robin series, with the top teams advancing to the final. This year’s qualifiers featured teams such as Uganda, Egypt, Burundi, and South Sudan, highlighting their quest for success in African women’s basketball. The performances of each team not only demonstrate their current capabilities but also their potential for future competitions.
Uganda’s victory against Burundi and Egypt’s triumph over South Sudan demonstrate the quality of basketball in the Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers. Both teams are now positioned for a final showdown, with each looking to build on their successful performances. The upcoming matches will be pivotal in determining the champions of this qualification series, showcasing the growth and potential of African women’s basketball.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
