South Sudan reaffirmed its dominance over Kenya in the Women's AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifiers, securing an 80-63 victory in Cairo. With this win—its third in six days—the team continued its impressive run, fueled by a strong start and standout performances.
Last Updated on
February 8, 2025
For the second time in less than a week, South Sudan asserted its dominance over Kenya in the Women's AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifiers at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo. Having already secured an 86-69 triumph earlier, the Bright Starlets delivered another commanding performance, this time securing an 80-63 win to clinch a podium finish.
It was their third victory in six days, with two against Kenya—a team with previous continental success—and another over Burundi, who endured a winless run in the competition. The livestream audience found humor in the comments from Kenyan supporters, jokingly calling for a restart as their team struggled to match South Sudan’s relentless energy.
Coach Alberto Carlos’s squad set the tone early, fueled by the cheers of their passionate fans waving national flags. A blistering first quarter put Kenya on the back foot, trailing by 19 points. However, Christine Akinyi and Jemimah Omondi injected life into their team’s efforts, sinking nine three-pointers in the second quarter to cut the gap to 32-22.
Victoria Reynolds continued Kenya’s fightback, bringing them within six at 44-38 with just 35 seconds remaining in the half. But just as momentum seemed to shift, Adut Bulgak delivered a dagger—a buzzer-beating three-pointer that re-established a nine-point cushion heading into the third quarter. South Sudan capitalized on that moment, extending their lead with an 18-12 third period before closing out the contest with a controlled 15-13 in the fourth quarter.
Rose Macuei was simply outstanding, registering a colossal double-double with 18 points and 19 rebounds, leading all players with a stellar efficiency rating of 30. She also contributed two assists and two steals, rounding out an all-around dominant display. Delicia Washington (25 points), Nyamuoch Pidor Teny (18 points), and Adut Bulgak (12 points, 11 rebounds) provided further firepower, ensuring South Sudan’s grip on the game never wavered.
Their superiority on the boards proved decisive with South Sudan out-rebounding Kenya 56-41 and translating that into a 25-8 advantage in second-chance points. While both teams were level in scoring in the paint (26) and off turnovers (19), Kenya’s bench provided more scoring depth with a 21-3 advantage. However, it was not enough to overcome South Sudan’s well-rounded execution and sheer determination.
Reflecting on the victory, Coach Carlos Antuna praised his team’s performance, emphasizing how much progress they had made throughout the tournament.
"This was, by far, our most complete game in this competition. We’ve improved with each match, and today we executed much better. We’re putting together wins against top-ranked teams, which is a testament to our growth. I couldn’t be prouder of these players. The men's team has been making waves for a while, and it’s exciting to see the same recognition coming to our women’s side."
Nyamuoch Pidor Teny shared her emotions after the win, expressing how much it meant to the squad.
"It’s an incredible feeling. I’m so proud of this team and how far we’ve come. This journey has been special, and the best part is knowing there’s still so much more we can build on. We’re eager to see what the future holds."
On the other side, Kenya’s head coach George Mayienga reflected on the challenges his team faced in the tournament, citing a lack of preparation and missing key personnel.
"Playing the same opponent twice is never easy, but it does offer a chance to adjust. We started slow, managed to fight back in the second quarter, but just didn’t have the energy to sustain it in the second half. That said, I take positives from the way we handled the third quarter, which has often been our weak point."
With this victory, the Bright Starlets reinforced their rapid rise on the continental stage, showcasing a blend of skill, resilience, and tactical prowess. Their stay in Cairo may have started with promise, but it ended with an emphatic statement of intent for the future.
[Photo/Imagery : Courtesy of FIBA]
