Moçâmedes Thriller Caps Perfect Group Stage
Angola thrilled a packed Welwitschia Mirabilis Arena, edging South Sudan 66-64 to close Group C of AfroBasket 2025 with a flawless 3-0 record.
The visitors, who stunned Angola at last year’s FIBA World Cup, launched a 22-11 final-quarter surge, but Both Tut Gach’s last-second three rattled out, sparking euphoric scenes among home fans.
Angola Defense Smothers Top-Ranked Rivals
Coach Pepe Claros demanded pressure from tip-off. After conceding a 7-0 burst, Angola replied with a 12-0 run, then held the continent’s top-ranked side to 27 first-half points, their lowest of the tournament.
Point guard Childe Dundao, only 1.67 m, sparked traps and intercepts, finishing with eight assists and five steals while drilling four triples.
Key Numbers Behind the 66-64 Scoreline
South Sudan managed 19 field goals but were forced to heed the whistle, earning 21 free-throws. Their 20 turnovers contrasted with Angola’s 12, a differential that proved decisive.
Aboubacar Gakou paced Angola with 15 points on efficient perimeter shooting, while Nuni Omot’s 12 points were the lone South Sudanese double-digit tally.
Players and Coaches React
“We showed heart against Africa’s No. 1, and skipping the qualifiers is huge,” Claros said courtside. Small forward Majok Deng conceded, “We didn’t match their energy, but we’ll bounce back.”
Quarterfinal Paths for Both Teams
Angola return to Luanda for five days of rest before meeting a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the last eight.
South Sudan, now 1-2, confront Senegal in a high-stakes classification duel on Monday, seeking to preserve their lofty continental ranking.