Posted by Siseko Tapile
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When Brancou Badio, the 26‑year‑old shooting guard from Valencia, lit up the court with 31 points, Senegal pushed past South Sudan 78‑65 in the qualification‑to‑quarterfinals clash of AfroBasket 2025Luanda, sealing the Lions of Teranga’s spot in the next round.
The 2025 edition of AfroBasket has been staged across several venues in Angola, with the Pavilhão Multi‑usos de Luanda hosting the knockout stages. Senegal entered the tournament as the five‑time champion, finishing second in Group D behind Egypt after a rocky start that saw them stumble against Mali. South Sudan, fresh off a historic World Cup run and bolstered by NBA‑experienced figures like former star Luol Deng, topped the African rankings heading into the competition but managed only a solitary group‑stage win against Libya.
Both squads earned their quarter‑final berth through a grueling schedule. Senegal’s journey included a nail‑biting win over Mali that forced a late‑game defensive stand, while South Sudan’s lone victory came in a low‑scoring affair against Libya, raising doubts about their defensive resilience.
The match opened at a measured pace, with each side trading baskets before the Lions of Teranga forced a turnover that ignited a 12‑2 run. By halftime, Senegal had built a 46‑25 lead, thanks to relentless pressure on South Sudan’s ball handlers and a flurry of fast‑break points. The second half saw the Bright Stars struggle to find rhythm; a 7‑point stretch in the second quarter produced only three points for the entire period.
Senegal’s coach — identified in footage as Boubacar Seck — emphasized a “stay‑ready” mentality, rotating fresh legs to keep the tempo high. The defensive scheme forced South Sudan into 14 turnovers, many of which turned into easy layups for the Senegalese frontcourt.
The scoreboard was dominated by Brancou Badio, who shot 10‑of‑11 from the free‑throw line and knocked down five triples on 12 attempts. His teammate, captain Ibrahima Faye, contributed a double‑double with 12 points and eight rebounds, while veteran guard Jean Jacques Boissy added 10 points and seven rebounds, keeping the offense balanced.
For the Bright Stars, Both Gach led with 14 points, Nuni Omot chipped in 13, and Majok Deng tallied 10. Despite the effort, South Sudan shot just 38% from the field and struggled to convert after the break.
After the final buzzer, Boissy praised his teammates’ composure: “We just stayed poised the whole game. It’s a game of momentum, they had their run, but we kept our heads high, focusing on defense.” The Senegalese coach added, “I liked the way we came out ready to play. After the tough first quarters against Egypt and Mali, we adjusted and executed the plan.”
South Sudan’s captain Nuni Omot expressed disappointment but optimism: “We gave it our all, but the experience will help us grow. The goal is still to bring basketball to the next level in our country.”
With the win, Senegal now prepares to face the Nigerian Tigers — another five‑time champion — in the quarter‑finals. The Tigers, known for their athleticism and depth, pose a different challenge: a faster pace and a more perimeter‑oriented attack. Senegal’s coaching staff says they’ll focus on limiting Nigeria’s transition opportunities and exploiting mismatches in the paint.
Senegal’s victory reinforces their status as Africa’s most consistent basketball powerhouse. Sports analyst David Mensah noted, “Senegal’s ability to bounce back after early‑tournament hiccups shows a depth of talent and a winning culture that few nations can match.” Meanwhile, the early exit of South Sudan highlights the growing pains of a program still finding its identity on the continental stage.
For fans across the continent, the match was a reminder that AfroBasket remains a showcase of both rising talent and established greatness. The tournament continues to draw attention from scouts, sponsors, and young athletes hoping to emulate the likes of Badio and Faye.
The victory puts Senegal in prime position to challenge for a sixth title. By defeating a higher‑ranked opponent, they gain momentum and confidence heading into the quarter‑finals against Nigeria, a matchup that could define the tournament’s narrative.
South Sudan struggled with offensive consistency and turned the ball over 14 times. Their reliance on a few scorers wasn’t enough against Senegal’s balanced attack, and the lack of a reliable perimeter shooter limited their comeback chances.
Keep an eye on Brancou Badio, who has proven he can score in bunches, and Ibrahima Faye’s inside presence. For Nigeria, veteran forward Chimezie Metu and sharpshooter Efe Ajagba could tilt the balance.
While disappointing, the experience against top competition will inform the nation’s development programs. The federation is likely to invest further in youth training and overseas exposure to close the gap with African powerhouses.
The quarter‑final is scheduled for August 22, 2025, at the same venue – Pavilhão Multi‑usos de Luanda in Angola – with kick‑off at 5:00 PM local time.
Comments
Lois Parker
Another win, another story. Basketball runs its course, and Senegal just proved the old saying that effort beats talent when the night is right.
October 11, 2025 at 03:22
Lerato Mamaila
What a thrilling display! Senegal’s precision; South Sudan’s struggle – a clear contrast, indeed; the fans everywhere, cheering, feeling the pulse of AfroBasket.
October 11, 2025 at 21:25
Dennis Lohmann
Great game to learn from! Both teams showed heart, and younger players can take notes on how Badio found his rhythm. Keep pushing, everyone! 😊
October 12, 2025 at 15:29