(ABIDJAN) – Mali’s women’s basketball team secured a dominant 76–50 victory over South Sudan to book a place in the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament. The win marks Mali’s return to the championship match, where they will face Nigeria in a bid to win their first title since 2007.
South Sudan, who were participating in the tournament for the first time, had earlier come close to upsetting Mali in the group stage. However, the semi-final was a different story as the West African side took control early and never looked back.
Mali led 13–7 within the opening five minutes and ended the first quarter 29–8 ahead. By halftime, they had built a 31-point lead, giving coach Oumarou Sidiya the opportunity to rotate his squad and rest key players for most of the second half.
Sira Thienou led Mali’s scoring with 14 points, while Djeneba N’Diaye and Alima Dembele added 13 and 11 points respectively. The only player not to score, Foune Sissoko, led the team in assists and steals.
Mali’s win was a full team effort, as reflected in the statistics:
| Category | Mali | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Rebounds | 54 | 38 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 18 | — |
| Assists | 23 | 8 |
| Three Point Shots Made | 8 | 3 |
| Bench Points | 42 | 13 |
The Malian team shot 8 for 25 from beyond the arc compared to South Sudan’s 3-for-18. They also moved the ball better and protected their basket effectively, maintaining a 10–9 edge in second-chance points.
Despite the loss, South Sudan’s campaign has been widely applauded. The team entered the tournament through a wildcard after finishing third in the FIBA Africa Zone Five qualifiers and surprised many with their strong performance throughout the competition.
While they fell short of a place in the final, South Sudan have earned a place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are also likely to be included in the 2027 Women’s AfroBasket tournament.
South Sudan Shooting Guard Sarah Deng praised the team’s performance, saying, “We are a first time team ranked lower than any other team in the competition before coming here, and we came out and competed. Mali are a good side, and while we did not have a good start against them, we are proud of what we have achieved.”
Mali now face defending champions Nigeria, who are chasing a record fifth consecutive AfroBasket title. Nigeria last lost a match in October 2015 and will enter the final as favourites. A win for Mali would not only end Nigeria’s dominance but also secure them a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
Mali guard Rokia Doumbia said the team took lessons from their earlier encounter with South Sudan.
“That opening match result was a wake up call for us,” she said. “Against Nigeria, we will control what we can. We will respect them as champions, but we came for one goal—to win.”
South Sudan, while out of the tournament, leaves the court with pride and experience that could shape a stronger future in women’s basketball. Their journey has inspired fans both at home and across the continent.
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