(ABIDJAN) – South Sudan’s women’s basketball team delivered a remarkable performance in their first ever appearance at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, narrowly losing to tournament heavyweights Mali 56-53 on Sunday at the Palais des Sports in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The East African team, who qualified through a wild card after two unsuccessful attempts in 2021 and 2023, showed resilience and skill, signalling a promising future on the continental stage.
Facing a seasoned Mali side that boasts a strong youth development programme and a bronze medal from the 2023 championship, South Sudan approached the game as underdogs. Mali had entered the tournament with the reputation of one of Africa’s elite basketball nations, contrasting with South Sudan, whose youth teams have yet to feature in regional competitions.
South Sudan made an early impression with University of Colorado forward Nyamer Lual Diew scoring the country’s first ever AfroBasket points. Diew, returning to the national team for the first time since the 2021 Zone 5 qualifiers, played a pivotal role throughout the match.
Although Mali ended the first quarter with a 19-15 lead, South Sudan remained composed. Mali extended the lead to 24-15, forcing head coach Alberto Antuna to call a timeout. The tactical break proved crucial, as Diew hit a three-pointer to spark a comeback. The South Sudanese defence then tightened, slowing Mali’s momentum. A floating jump shot by Delicia Washington with 1:27 remaining in the half levelled the scores at 30-30.
Mali briefly regained control in the third quarter with a 9-2 scoring run, powered by three-point shots from Alima Dembele and Djeneba N’Diaye. However, South Sudan again closed the gap and even took a 41-39 lead at one stage. The contest remained tight in the final quarter, with South Sudan missing crucial free throws that might have led to a historic win or pushed the game into overtime.
Both Diew and Washington finished with 18 points. Washington added 12 rebounds, recording a double-double. Diew came close to replicating the feat with eight rebounds. Their efforts highlighted South Sudan’s tenacity and potential.
Despite the narrow victory, Mali struggled with shooting efficiency. They made just five three-pointers from 41 attempts, while South Sudan converted four from 21. The West Africans capitalised on South Sudan’s 32 turnovers, converting them into 27 points. Mali also displayed superior depth, outscoring South Sudan 20-5 from the bench.
| Key Stats | Mali | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 56 | 53 |
| Turnovers Forced | 32 | 18 |
| Points from Turnovers | 27 | 13 |
| Bench Points | 20 | 5 |
| Three-Pointers Made/Attempted | 5/41 | 4/21 |
| Top Scorer | Dembele (18) | Washington, Diew (18) |
Mali’s Dembele and N’Diaye, with 18 and 10 points respectively, ensured their team stayed ahead when it mattered most. Dembele’s ability to deliver during key moments was instrumental in securing the win.
South Sudan’s performance, while not yielding a win, was seen as a strong statement of intent. Their physical style, team coordination, and individual skill impressed observers and indicated that they are not just participants but real competitors.
In her post match remarks, Washington acknowledged the missed chances but remained optimistic:
“We fought for 40 minutes but had some costly turnovers in clutch moments. We also missed a lot of shots we normally make. Tomorrow, we’ll focus on the things we can control and try to come out on top.”
Mali’s Sira Thienou admitted it was a tough start.
“It was an ugly win, but a win is a win. South Sudan are a good side, and we expected this having watched their films. That’s one down, two to go in the group phase.”
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