Angola Survives South Sudan Scare to Book Quarterfinal Spot in Thrilling AfroBasket Clash

Angola survived a heart-stopping finish in Luanda on Saturday, edging out tournament favorites South Sudan in a gripping 66-64 showdown to keep their unbeaten streak alive at AfroBasket 2025. In front of a roaring home crowd, the hosts sealed a statement victory that not only toppled the top-ranked team but also secured their direct ticket to the quarterfinals.

This wasn’t just a win, it was a war of nerves. Angola, now 3-0 in the tournament, showed grit, composure, and home-court swagger to withstand a late South Sudan rally and close out the game in dramatic fashion.

Abou Gakou and Childe Dundão were the heartbeat of the Angolan effort. Gakou delivered a sharp shooting night, scoring 13 points on 4-of-6 from the field and a blistering 3-of-4 from deep, while also grabbing 4 rebounds. Dundão orchestrated the offense with poise, posting 12 points, 8 assists, and a rebound to guide Angola through critical stretches.

For South Sudan, Nuni Omot stood tall in defeat, leading all scorers with 12 points, along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Despite pushing Angola to the edge, the Bright Stars fell just short of a comeback, unable to crack the Angolan defense in the dying seconds.

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South Sudan came out flying, opening the game with a stunning 7-0 run that briefly silenced the packed arena in Luanda and sent waves of excitement all the way to Juba, where fans gathered in numbers at the Nimra Talata Basketball Court for a lively watch party. The Bright Stars looked sharp, focused, and ready to pull off a massive upset.

But the Angolans weren’t having it.

Backed by a fired-up home crowd, Angola hit back in style—a relentless 12-0 run that flipped the game on its head. Fueled by fast breaks, stifling defense, and dominance in the paint, the hosts turned defense into offense, seized the momentum, and never trailed again for the rest of the night.

The game turned into a battle of grit and physicality. South Sudan clawed their way back into contention, but Angola’s defense tightened like a vice, contesting every shot and grinding down their opponents with pressure at every turn. The Bright Stars struggled to assert their usual physical edge, as Angola matched them body-for-body and possession-for-possession.

By halftime, it was 37-27 Angola—a deserved lead and a testament to their defensive discipline. Impressively, it marked the first time in the tournament that South Sudan had been held under 30 points in a half, highlighting just how well-drilled and locked-in the home side truly was.

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Angola carried their first-half momentum into the third quarter, edging it 18-15, and looking well on course to close things out comfortably. But South Sudan had other plans.

The Bright Stars came alive in the fourth, dominating the final period 22-11 and forcing Angola into some uncomfortable stretches. But despite the late surge, it wasn't enough. Angola’s earlier groundwork—and their suffocating defense—made the difference, holding on for a nail-biting 66-64 victory in front of their home fans.

One of the game’s biggest storylines? Turnovers. South Sudan coughed up the ball 20 times, compared to just 12 by Angola, mistakes that proved fatal. The hosts capitalized in ruthless fashion, scoring 27 points off turnovers, while the Bright Stars managed just 10 in return.

Angola also owned the paint, outscoring South Sudan 34-24 down low, and showcased their depth with 36 points off the bench, giving their starters some much-needed support.

South Sudan struggled to find rhythm against Angola’s physical, no-nonsense defense, often settling for free throws instead of clean looks from the field. Despite their valiant final-quarter push, the damage was already done and Angola’s composure in the clutch saw them book their quarterfinal ticket.

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While Angola is awaiting its next opponent in the quarter finals, South Sudan who have a 1-2 record now faces a tricky playoffs tie with Senegal for a place in the quarterfinals.

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