By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan |26th July 2026
CAIRO, Egypt – South Sudan's U18 men's national basketball team secured a place in the semi-finals of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 5 Qualifiers after recording a landmark 75-59 victory over Kenya, their first-ever win at the regional championship.
The Young Bright Stars bounced back impressively after opening their Group B campaign with a 52-40 defeat to Uganda, producing a disciplined display at Cairo Stadium Indoor Hall 2 to keep their hopes of qualifying for the continental championship alive.
South Sudan dominated the contest from the opening tip and won every quarter on their way to a convincing victory.
Quarter-by-quarter scores:
- First Quarter: South Sudan 18-14 Kenya
- Second Quarter: South Sudan 19-18 Kenya
- Third Quarter: South Sudan 24-18 Kenya
- Fourth Quarter: South Sudan 14-9 Kenya
The result sees South Sudan advance to the Zone 5 semi-finals, where they will face Group A winners Egypt on 28 July. The other semi-final will pit Group B winners Uganda against Rwanda.
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the Zone 5 final on 29 July, with qualification for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket at stake.
Meanwhile, Kenya and Tanzania will face each other in the classification match.
Photos. Credit: South Sudan Basketball Federation
