South Sudan has qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.
Following Rwanda’s defeat to Nigeria, South Sudan went into the game against Mali needing just victory to qualify for FIBA AfroBasket 2021.
They however had to overcome a 20-point deficit to achieve the feat with a game to spare in the qualifiers.
A closely contested affair in the opening five minutes turned into a mismatch of sorts for about ten minutes as Mali assumed a 20-point lead (32-12) midway the second quarter.
South Sudan chipped away but trailed by 15 points heading into the halftime break. Luol Deng’s charges turned up the pressure on the defensive end in the third quarter and held Mali to 8 points and scored 22 to go in the decisive decisive quarter trailing by just a point (48-47).
Mali started the final quarter with a 6-0 run but South Sudan quickly fought back and took the lead on Nuni Omot’s lay-up with under five minutes and never trailed again as they held on for victory that sends them to the AfroBasket.
Kuany Ngor Kuany led the way for the young nation with 21 points, Omot added 16 while Dut Jok Kacuol chipped in with 14 points.
Sadio Doucouré (14), Ibrahim Saounera (13) and Ibrahim Djambo (10) scored in double figure for Mali.
With Rwanda the hosts of the final tournament, it means all Group B teams have qualified for the continental event.
Franklin Kaweru is the Editor in Chief of Kawowo Sports. He is an ardent basketball enthusiast.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan's army plans to resume civilian disarmament after violent clashes - 19/02/2021 08:42
- South Sudan’s current violence ‘lot worse’ than during civil war - 19/02/2021 06:18
- Violence still raging in South Sudan despite peace deal - UN - 19/02/2021 01:53
- South Sudan: 2020 Humanitarian Access Overview (January to December 2020) - 19/02/2021 01:30
- Massive outreach in South Sudan yields results; thousands turn to Christ - 18/02/2021 21:01
Older news items
- Crime and (no) punishment: Why Africa's ports are vulnerable to counterfeit Covid vaccines - 18/02/2021 00:59
- Pupils in SPLM-IO areas express excitement over start of exams - 18/02/2021 00:26
- Kenyan Judge Freezes South Sudan's Ksh27B Bank Account - 17/02/2021 20:58
- 2021 FIBA Afrobasket : Unbeaten D’Tigers edge South Sudan 75-70 - 17/02/2021 20:37
- Chinese construction firm redesigns major road in South Sudan - 17/02/2021 03:06
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan can leverage China’s AI path to bridge the digital divide - 16/09/2026 16:04
- Credible Elections Are No Longer Possible in South Sudan - What Next? - 16/09/2026 15:59
- South Sudan's president replaces electoral chief three months before scheduled polls - 16/09/2026 15:56
- Turkish Airlines is pulling out of 5 African routes, including South Sudan - 16/09/2026 15:23
- ‘Super El Niño’ deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan – WFP - 16/09/2026 15:19
Random articles (all categories):
- Sudan's Bashir says Darfur, Kordofan conflicts to end in 2016 - 21/08/2015 16:00
- South Sudan spites itself with oil well shutdown - 26/01/2012 09:44
- South Sudan: Unity government to be formed by Feb 22 - 19/02/2020 23:49
- Sudan freezes oil and security deals with South - 10/06/2013 23:26
- Why SPLM and NCP Must Be in the Sudan Government as Catholic Married Partners - 01/02/2009 20:57
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 149591 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28114 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25197 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24464 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22415 times
