South Sudan vs Cameroon

Cameroon's ability to protect their lead through the final five minutes separated the sides. South Sudan cut the margin to a single possession on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter, but Cameroon responded with composed shot-making and denied the Bright Stars the equalising basket. The Lions forced key stops in the closing two minutes to seal the result.

Cameroon's depth was the difference. Jeremiah Hill and Jordan Bayehe carried the scoring load, leading the Lions' offence in a balanced team effort. Captain Fabien Ateba provided leadership and shot-making, while Tamenang Choh orchestrated the offence from the point.

For South Sudan, Lok Wur continued his impressive form from the Cape Verde game, though the team as a whole struggled to replicate the firepower that produced 109 points against Cape Verde just 48 hours earlier. Kur Kuath contributed in the paint, while JT Thor provided bursts of energy off the bench.

Player of the Match: Jeremiah Hill (Cameroon) — led the Lions with efficient scoring and steady ball-handling in a tight contest.

The 78-74 final scoreline reflects a game defined by defence. Cameroon held South Sudan below 80 points for the only time in the window, an achievement given the Bright Stars averaged 97 points per game across their previous two outings. Both sides shot efficiently inside the arc but the game was ultimately decided by Cameroon's ability to get stops when it mattered most — a four-point margin tells the story of a contest where neither side ever fully seized control.

Group A finished in a three-way tie on points (5 each) with Cameroon, South Sudan and Cape Verde all posting 2-1 records. Libya exited the first round winless at 0-3. Both Cameroon (2-1) and South Sudan (2-1) advance to the second round, where they will carry their points forward into Group E alongside the qualifiers from Group C.

The second round begins on 27 August 2026, with Cameroon travelling to face Nigeria in their opening game. South Sudan will also begin the second-round phase in late August, continuing their pursuit of a second consecutive World Cup appearance after debuting at the 2023 tournament.

A competitive, hard-fought contest between two teams already assured of progression. Cameroon's home-court discipline and defensive resolve gave them the edge over a South Sudan side that had cruised through their earlier games. The result sets up an intriguing second round: both teams will feel confident, but neither will have everything their own way against stiffer Group E opposition.