(MOÇÂMEDES, ANGOLA) – South Sudan’s national basketball team suffered a surprise 88-80 defeat to Guinea in their opening match of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament, leaving them under pressure ahead of a must-win clash against Libya.
The match at Pavilhão Multiusos Welwitschia Mirabilis began brightly for South Sudan, who took an early lead midway through the first quarter. However, Guinea responded with a decisive 9-0 scoring run, fuelled entirely by three-point shots, to seize control of the game. They maintained their lead for the remainder of the contest.
Alpha Diallo, a EuroLeague standout with AS Monaco, was the standout performer, scoring 28 points and delivering crucial baskets whenever South Sudan threatened a comeback. Guinea’s offensive display was further strengthened by Mamadi Diakite, a former NBA champion now with the Valley Suns in the NBA G League, who scored 16 points, and point guard Souleyman Boum Jr., who recorded 14 points and nine assists.
South Sudan’s defence struggled to contain Guinea’s perimeter shooting, conceding 15 three-pointers, while their own shooting faltered with only five successful shots from 21 attempts beyond the arc.
Forward Nuni Omot led South Sudan with a flawless 27-point performance, acknowledging after the game that his team lacked the necessary aggression. “They came out with the energy; they made a lot of three-point shots,” he said. “We just need to do better, be the hunters instead of being hunted.”
Point guard Kendale McCullum contributed 16 points, and centre Jo Lual-Acuil recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but their efforts were not enough to overcome Guinea’s momentum.
The loss marked the first time since the 2021 AfroBasket that South Sudan had conceded more than 80 points to an African opponent. Both South Sudan and Libya now go into Thursday’s game without a win, after Libya suffered a heavy 85-53 defeat to hosts Angola.
To advance, South Sudan must secure a victory over Libya or Angola, or finish at least third in Group C. The group stage format sends the top team directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-placed teams move to playoff rounds for the remaining spots.
The AfroBasket 2025 tournament features 16 teams and runs until 24 August. In other opening day results, Egypt beat Mali 74-59, and Senegal overcame Uganda 88-53.
