South Sudan secured their second-ever win in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers by defeating Kenya 86-69, led by Delicia Washington’s 26 points. Egypt maintained their perfect record with a close 65-62 victory over Uganda, aided by clutch plays from Hala Elshaarawy and Farida Abdelnabi. Both teams need to improve game management to sustain their success in future matches.
In the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers, South Sudan achieved a historic milestone by securing their second win ever, triumphing over Kenya with an impressive score of 86-69. This victory follows their earlier success against Rwanda in the current qualifiers. Delicia Washington played a crucial role, leading the team with 26 points, supported by Adut Bulgak and Nyamuoch Teny, who each contributed 14 points. Meanwhile, Victoria Reynolds and Natalie Mwangale were top scorers for Kenya with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Egypt, the host team, also managed to maintain their winning streak, narrowly overcoming Uganda with a score of 65-62. Despite initially leading by 14 points, Egypt faced a tough challenge from Uganda, who fought back to close the gap. Ultimately, key layups from Hala Elshaarawy and Farida Abdelnabi in the final moments secured the victory for Egypt. Coach Amr Elmaraghy acknowledged the need for improvement in their game management.
The significance of South Sudan’s win lies not only in the score but also in the team’s determination and strategic play, particularly their effective bench performance and free-throw shooting, which starkly contrasted Kenya’s struggles. South Sudan’s head coach Alberto Antuna expressed pride in his team’s achievement and emphasized the need to improve on their turnover issues.
For Egypt, the match against Uganda showcased their resilience, despite surrendering an earlier lead. Coach Amr Elmaraghy noted the importance of maintaining focus throughout the entire game, while Uganda’s head coach Nicholas Natuhereza recognized that the team must enhance their finishing skills to secure victories in future matches.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers are a crucial tournament for national teams in the region. These games not only provide a platform for emerging teams like South Sudan to showcase their talent but also highlight the competitiveness of established teams such as Egypt and Uganda. The matches play a significant role in the development and promotion of women’s basketball in Africa, contributing to the growth of the sport on the continent. South Sudan’s victories signify progress and determination, and Egypt’s continued success builds on their legacy as a strong contender in women’s basketball.
The recent matches in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers reflect the growing competitiveness among African women’s basketball teams. South Sudan’s historic win over Kenya highlights their rapid development, while Egypt’s narrow victory against Uganda cements their strong position in the tournament. Both teams must address issues regarding turnovers and game management as they prepare for upcoming matches, making their performances critical in the pursuit of excellence in women’s basketball.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball