(LUANDA, ANGOLA) – South Sudan’s AfroBasket campaign came to an end on Monday night after a quarterfinal defeat to Senegal, who claimed a 78–65 victory at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda.
The game brought together two of the tallest teams in the tournament, and fans expected a tightly contested match. Instead, Senegal imposed themselves early with strong defence and efficient attacking play, forcing South Sudan into chasing the game for much of the first half.
Senegal’s captain, Brancou Badio, led by example with a game high 31 points, keeping his team’s title hopes alive. He was supported by Ibrahima Faye, who scored 12 points and collected eight rebounds, and Jean Jacques Boissy, who added 10 points and seven rebounds.
South Sudan’s best performance came from Both Gach, who scored 14 points. Team captain Nuni Omot contributed 13 points, while Majok Deng followed with 10 points.
In the early stages of the second quarter, both teams struggled to score, producing only seven points between them. Senegal’s tactical substitutions soon shifted momentum. Ibou Badji ignited a scoring run with a two pointer, followed by a fast break that led to an alley-oop dunk. South Sudan called for a timeout, but Senegal’s momentum only grew, closing the half with a commanding 46–25 lead.
Badji proved vital in the paint, scoring nine points, pulling down 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots. His contribution ensured Senegal never lost control of the contest.
South Sudan tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter. Led by Omot, Gach, and Deng, the Bright Stars outscored Senegal 29–16 and cut the deficit to just eight points heading into the final quarter. However, Senegal regained control and sealed a 13-point win to book their semifinal place, where they will face Nigeria in a West African derby.
Match Statistics
| Team | Points Leaders | Rebounds Leaders | Fast Break Points | Second Chance Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | Brancou Badio – 31 pts | Ibou Badji – 13 rebounds | 32 | 17 |
| South Sudan | Both Gach – 14 pts | Majok Deng – 6 rebounds | 19 | 10 |
After the match, South Sudan’s head coach Luol Deng admitted that the first half cost his team the game.
“We lost the game in the first half. We regrouped in the second half and I wish we had played like that from the start. We are disappointed because we hold high standards, but I am happy for African basketball. The more teams improve, the more respect the continent will gain,” Deng said.
Senegal’s Boissy praised his team’s composure, saying, “We stayed poised the whole game. It is a game of momentum. They had their run, but we kept our focus on defence.”
This result ends South Sudan’s AfroBasket 2025 journey, though the Bright Stars exit the tournament having shown progress and competitiveness on the continental stage.
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