Cameroon Outlasts Spirited South Sudan to Open AfroBasket Campaign with Gritty 70-63 Win

In a thrilling contest that showcased grit, talent, and the growing parity in African women’s basketball, Cameroon overcame a fierce challenge from South Sudan to claim a 70-63 win in their Group B opener at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket on Sunday in Abidjan.

The victory not only marks a strong start for Cameroon's bronze medalists in 2021, but also puts them one win away from a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. South Sudan, meanwhile, finds itself in a tough 0-2 hole, having narrowly lost to Mali just a day prior.

From the tip-off, the intensity was palpable. South Sudan, playing in only their second-ever AfroBasket game, came out firing. Veteran Adut Bulgak and Nyamer Lual Diew connected from deep early, putting the Bright Starlets in front. Cameroon’s Marina Ewodo responded in kind, but South Sudan held a narrow 12-11 lead midway through the first quarter.

Cameroon clawed their way back thanks to the steady hands of Josiane Tientcheu, who tied the game from the free-throw line and then nudged her team ahead as the quarter ended 17-16. The second quarter turned into a showcase of long-range shooting. American-born guard Jessica Thomas and Joelly Belleka each nailed threes for Cameroon. Still, South Sudan’s cohesion and interior presence allowed them to carry a 32-31 lead into the halftime locker room.
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Both teams entered the third quarter with urgency, knowing the next ten minutes could determine the game’s trajectory. That turning point arrived late in the third when Cameroon unleashed a blistering 8-1 run in the final three minutes of the frame. By the time the buzzer sounded, the Central Africans had outscored South Sudan 19-11 and carried a 50-43 lead into the fourth.

The East African debutants mounted a spirited fightback early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to just four points with five minutes to play. Their interior game continued to thrive—they outscored Cameroon 16-6 in the paint during the first half, but the fourth quarter exposed their inexperience. Turnovers at critical moments, combined with lapses in defensive assignments, allowed Cameroon to regain control.

Cameroon’s veteran leadership and poise down the stretch proved decisive. Thomas led all scorers with 19 points, showing elite decision-making under pressure. Belleka added 16 points, while Marguerite Effa contributed 12 more. Yet it was Dulcy Fankam’s quiet dominance that anchored Cameroon. Her 10 points and 13 rebounds translated to a game-high efficiency rating of 18, a performance that kept Cameroon composed during South Sudan’s best stretches.

South Sudan deserves credit for pushing a continental powerhouse to the brink. Despite the loss, they demonstrated that their place in this tournament is well-earned. Their discipline in transition, with just nine combined turnovers in the first half, was impressive, and their paint play provides a foundation to build on.

We gave it our all, and we are excited for what lies ahead,” a Cameroon team representative said postgame. “South Sudan is a very good team. For a first-time participant, they’re brilliant. That’s why we took them seriously. But we came ready to play.

Stated team captain, Marina Ewodo

Following their second consecutive loss—after an earlier defeat to Mali—there was visible disappointment from the South Sudanese team.

“We gave up offensive rebounds, not putting our bodies on some balls, especially in clutch moments. We didn’t box out enough and gave them opportunities to score. We need to focus on the little things and improve where we can,” said South Sudan’s Delicia Washington, during the post-game press conference.

Cameroon’s win was largely due to their ability to execute under pressure and dictate the game’s tempo.

“We controlled the rhythm. The biggest thing for us was securing the rebounds, dictating our game, and taking control. We knew they were going to be very aggressive. At that point, it was about finding ways to create and get my teammates involved,” said Cameroon’s Jessica Thomas.

With this win, Cameroon now looks ahead to a crucial rematch clash with Mali on Monday, July 28 a game that could determine the group winner and secure a spot in the quarterfinals without the Round of 16 hurdle.

South Sudan, still in search of their maiden win, will need to dig deep. Their performances have turned heads, but at 0-2, their margin for error is now razor-thin. Cameroon’s experience and depth edged out South Sudan’s heart and hustle. If these two teams continue their current trajectories, this may not be the last time they meet in the tournament.