JUBA (South Sudan) – FOX basketball will carry South Sudan's flag in the Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2025 Season 5 qualifying matches slated for October 22-27 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The new champions emerged victorious in a one long-week South Sudan BAL Qualifier Tournament that was held in Nimra Talata Basketball Courts, Juba from October 14-19 and was organised by the South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSDBF).
They will fly to Zimbabwe capital city in the East Division that has been split in two Groups. The other one finished over the weekend in Tanzania where Kenya's Nairobi City Thunder and Burundi's Urunani secured their spots in the Elite 16.
Fox will now be the second team after Cobras Sports who did the country proud by putting the club in the continental map in 2022 BAL showpiece.
Fox achieved the feat by stopping Nile Giants in 61-60 in a heart throbbing Finals. They blew out former champions Cobra Sports 72-49 in the Semi-Finals without breaking any sweat in a polished exhibition.
Nile Giants, on the other hand, clawed their way past Top Cats 83-67 in the other Semi-Finals to set up an epic Finals date where they gave their all. The match, played before a packed and delirious crowd lived to its billing and did not disappoint.
The eight-team tournament saw Cobra Sports, Sparks Club, Nile Giants and Ghazal BC battle it out in Group A.
Squaring it off in Group B were eventual winners Fox, Top Cats, Thunders and GS Nomads.
The teams were split into two groups of four teams each and the fact that different new teams emerged in the festival is a bright spot for the growth of game in the country.
"Fox management did a very good job in recruiting players both at home and in neighbouring Uganda," revealed a top South Sudan basketball official who was reached for comment.
The most notable player Maker Moses checked in from Uganda where he ply his trade for champions and Kampala giants City Oilers who bagged their 10th straight national crown.
And it was the irrepressible Moses who banged in a late basket with 0:12 seconds left to play to ensure Fox won this closely-fought Finals and their maiden title.
“The tournament was well attended and the fans rallied behind their teams in numbers,” added the source who talked to FIBA.basketball.
SSBF brought in three experienced and neutral referees from Uganda and Kenya with the foreign match officials taking control of the Semis-Finals and Championship Game.
Notable players who provided the much needed sparks for Fox included Tokmach Santino, Peter Oblong, Peter Sefuma and Maker Chiir, who was one of the most notable stars on the floor.
By qualifying at home, Fox BC just cleared one hurdle. The biggest test of all, however, remains in Harare where they will tough opposition.
Also on show and waiting to stop Fox trip to the Elite 16 in the next few days are regulars Bravehearts of Malawi, Zambia’s Matero Magic, host club Basket Hounds and Mozambique's Desportivo Costa do Sol.
Will the new champions fly their country’s flag high in the Road to BAL like the South Sudan national side have done within a short span? That remains the million-dollar question.
FIBA