South Sudan achieved their second-ever FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifier win, defeating Kenya 86-69. Egypt also continued their unbeaten run with a narrow 65-62 victory over Uganda. Key performances from players on both teams were crucial in these matches, highlighting progress in women’s basketball within the region.
In a historic achievement for South Sudan, the women’s basketball team secured their second-ever victory in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers by defeating Kenya 86-69. This victory follows their inaugural win against Rwanda earlier in the tournament. South Sudan’s Delicia Washington was instrumental, contributing 26 points, while the team’s strong bench performance and free-throw accuracy strongly influenced the game’s outcome.
Egypt also continues to shine in the qualifiers with a narrow 65-62 victory over Uganda. Despite leading by 14 points at one stage, Egypt faced a challenging comeback from Uganda. However, crucial plays from players Hala Elshaarawy and captain Farida Abdelnabi in the final minutes helped secure Egypt’s second consecutive win this campaign.
South Sudan demonstrated significant progress, with their coach Alberto Antuna acknowledging the team’s hard work and improvement in defense. The team now looks forward to their next match against Burundi, aiming to build on their success. Conversely, Kenya’s performance under coach George Mayienga needs refinement, particularly in managing turnovers and rebounds.
Egypt’s coach, Amr Elmaraghy, recognized the need to address offensive inconsistencies, particularly regarding turnovers that need rectification for upcoming matches. Uganda’s Nicholas Natuhereza acknowledged their effort but pointed out their inability to finish strong after putting up a good fight. The competitive spirit displayed across all teams signals an exciting continuation of the qualifiers.
The FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers are essential for national teams seeking to secure a place in the prestigious AfroBasket tournament. The event showcases emerging talents and provides teams like South Sudan an opportunity to demonstrate growth and capability in an international arena. Over the years, several teams have competed vigorously, contributing to the development of women’s basketball in the region and highlighting important dynamics of competition among neighboring countries.
The outcomes of the recent matches in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone 5 qualifiers illustrate the evolving landscape of women’s basketball in the region. South Sudan’s historic win over Kenya marks a significant milestone, while Egypt’s continued perfection in the tournament underscores their status as formidable contenders. Each team faces distinct challenges ahead, particularly in addressing turnovers and defensive strategies, as they prepare for critical upcoming matches in the qualifiers.
Original Source: www.fiba.basketball
