South Sudan vs Cape Verde

Cape Verde took their only lead of the game at 5-0, but South Sudan's response was emphatic. The Bright Stars rained in seven three-pointers in the opening quarter alone, effectively ending the contest before the first break.

By halftime, South Sudan led 64-37 — the most points any team had scored in any half across the African Qualifiers up to that point. The Bright Stars shot 14-for-27 from behind the arc for the game, a 51.9% conversion rate that Cape Verde's zone defence could not slow.

Lok Wur's lay-up pushed South Sudan past the 100-point mark at 100-73, prompting the South Sudanese fans in attendance to chant: "We want 200!"

Makur Maker led all scorers with 23 points on a perfect shooting night — 6-for-6 from the field and 5-for-5 from three-point range. Both Tut Gach added 21 points (8-for-15), and Deng Adel also finished with 21 points.

Cape Verde's 5-0 start lasted barely two minutes. South Sudan switched defensive assignments, tightened their rotations, and unleashed a barrage of three-pointers that forced Cape Verde into a zone defence — which the Bright Stars picked apart with ball movement and quick triggers. The game was effectively settled in the first quarter, and the 64-37 halftime margin removed any prospect of a Cape Verde comeback.

Makur Maker (South Sudan) — 23 points, 6-for-6 shooting, 5-for-5 from three. The 24-year-old big man, making his South Sudan debut in this qualifying window, delivered a near-flawless offensive performance. "I am definitely not surprised, as I have seen him perform in practice and in games," head coach Luol Deng told FIBA. "He is very skilled and always tries to execute what we ask of him."

Both Tut Gach (South Sudan) — 21 points, 8-for-15 shooting. The guard provided the highlight-reel plays, attacking the rim and finishing through contact in transition.

Deng Adel (South Sudan) — 21 points. The versatile forward stretched the floor from deep and in the mid-range.

South Sudan bench — Outscored Cape Verde's reserves 36-15, a margin that reflected the Bright Stars' depth advantage.

South Sudan's 109 points were the highest single-game total in the African Qualifiers so far, and their 14 made three-pointers (on 27 attempts) highlighted their perimeter efficiency. The 64 first-half points were a tournament best for any half. By contrast, Cape Verde's 79 points came on 46.6% two-point shooting and 33.1% from three — below the competition averages that South Sudan typically concedes. The bench advantage (36-15) underscored the gap in squad depth.

South Sudan finish the first round of Group A atop the standings with a 3-1 record, having already secured a second-round berth with their opening win over Libya (95-57) on 2 July. They carry their points into the second round, where Groups A and C combine into Group E. The top five African nations at the end of the second round will qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar.

Cape Verde, now 2-2 in Group A, still have a chance to advance. They face Libya (1-3) in their final first-round group game. South Sudan's final first-round fixture is against Cameroon.

This was South Sudan at their destructive best: aggressive defence, swift transition, and three-point shooting that overwhelmed a capable Cape Verde side within one quarter. The Bright Stars have carried their 2023 World Cup form into this cycle and look every bit Africa's highest-ranked team. Cape Verde, missing some of their full-strength roster, face a must-win against Libya to keep their second-round hopes alive.