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Mali enthralls with a shock win over South Sudan.

Mali stunned South Sudan 75-72, securing just their second win in five meetings. Siriman Kanouté’s 15-point, 10-assist double-double fueled a comeback after halftime. The win sealed Mali’s AfroBasket spot, while South Sudan finished second in Group A.

Published on

February 23, 2025

Last Updated on

February 23, 2025

Mali vs South Sudan

Mali enthralls with a shock win over South Sudan.

It was an outcome that very few except perhaps the Malians saw coming but on Saturday one of the biggest upsets in recent times in African basketball took place.

Mali ranked 13th in Africa,  had to dig deep to overpower the continent's best-rated team South Sudan 75-72 to record only their second victory in five encounters.

The West Africans made their intentions known early into the game, closing the first quarter with a 25-20 lead. Mamadou Diarra contributed 11 points to Mali's cause while guard Siriman Kanouté added 7 points to grant Mali a lead.

However, in the second quarter, South Sudan's basketball ingenuity came to life, incarnate by Junior Madut whose 14 points and impact on both ends of the court cruised the side into a 6-point lead (48-42) by halftime.

However, South Sudan’s domination was shortlived as Mali stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring South Sudan 27-15, completely flipping the game.

The pressure was on, and despite South Sudan trying to rotate fresh legs into the game, Mali’s relentless aggression in the paint proved too much to handle.
Siriman Kanoute, a two-time U18 AfroBasket MVP and his country's lead scorer at the 2021 Afrobasket where he averaged 14 points and 3.7 assists was everywhere on the court.

His up-tempo style and fearless drives shredded South Sudan’s defense and left the South Sudanese coach and basketball legend Luol Deng dazzled over Kanoute's finesse. The 23-year-old courtesy of his hard work ended with a dazzling double-double of 15 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Kanoute's hard work during the third quarter ensured that Mali had closed the point deficit and widened the gap with South Sudan.

Mali controlled the tempo and refused to back down. Having clawed back into the game with sheer determination, they maintained the tempo and limited South Sudan to a 9-6 last-quarter lead that was inconsequential as the West Africans registered their second win in five games.

Both sides seemed to be at par on the state sheet with the Malians being more clinical on the charity line, converting 77.8% of their chances, and making more blocks and steals than their opponents.

Mali thanks to their win have punched their ticket for this year's Afrobasket, forcing South Sudan to settle for the second spot in Group A. DR Congo leads Group A meanwhile Morocco who are yet to register a single win in the qualifiers have seen their hopes of an appearance in the continental event dashed to the winds.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]

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