South Sudan, Kenya extend winning streaks on Day 3 of AfroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers

NAIROBI (Kenya) - South Sudan roared to third straight century, Tanzania's six-man stun Eritrea as Kenya brush off Somalia on Day 3 of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Group D Pre-qualifiers at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium in Nairobi.

Both Kenya and South Sudan extended their winning streaks to 3-0 each. 

South Sudan v Burundi (100-59)

South Sudan dismantled Burundi 100-59 to maintain their unbeaten run in the championship. They recorded their third straight century in a row in this championship. 

It was South Sudan's best performance in the tournament so far.

The winners were set on sail by a three pointer from play-maker Teny Puot and they costed to a 21-15 first quarter edge against the hapless Burundians.

They were up 26-14 in the second quarter and rolled up another 22-17 cushion in the third quarter before rampaging to a 31-13 edge in the decisive stanza.

The stylish Puot was the darling of the crowd bagging tournament-high 33 points and seven rebounds while Mathiang, Muo hit 16 and Deng Mayot had 14. 

In the second stanza they continued to cause havoc with towering Deng Mayiot, Mauot Mathiang and Puondak Makuel dominating at both ends of the floor.

Burundians Njimbere Guibert scored 16 points and another 13 came from Jean Hakiziumana.

"Until we shall have played all our opponents shall we know whether we are favourites or not. We will take one game at a time," said coach Ajuok Deng.

Tanzania v Eritrea (101-66)

Tanzania playing with only 6 players humiliated Eritrea 101-66. The Eritreans started well taking an early lead but things changed dramatically.

Ally Mohammed lifted Tanzania with 29 points and  Eric Jon scored 18. Eritrea were led by Aron Zekarias who had 14 while Bilal Abdudalem and Abiel Zeru sunk 22 each.

"I knew from our training early that morning that we will win because we were shooting well. What I asked them to cut down on the fouls," said coach Alfred Ngalaliji. 

Distraught Eritrean tactician noted,"My players were all exited even before the game started. Our other undoing was the performance of star player Israel Mulugeta."

Kenya v Somalia (102-77)

Somalia posed all sort of problems in the first quarter but were felled 102-77 by Kenya Morans.

Kenya trailed 10-5 but staged a fight back with Eric Mutoro showing class as his trey gave them a close 24-23 advantage at end of first quarter.

Somalia charged back closing in and took the proceedings at 42-40 before a three pointer by Mahad Haji pushed them up 46-44 at the break.

Barage of treys by the lively Mutoro rallied Kenya to a 75-62 advantage as the third quarter ended Kenya had built the biggest lead of 28 points.

Mutoro buried 31 points that included 5 treys, captain Griffin Ligare made 17 points and Desmond Owili shot. Somalia netted 16 from Mustafa Ali and 14 from Yusuf Qaafon.

Kenyan coach Cliff Owuor said, "We had a bad first quarter. We did not penetrate and did not kick the ball out well. But the tactical changes I made saw us break through."

His Somalia counterpart Dahil Abulkadir noted, "Day by day these boys are improving tremendously. This makes me poud. We lost the game right but I am a happy man the way we played Kenya."

FIBA