Delicia Washington

ONE is a continental powerhouse with a history of going deep into tournaments. The other is the breakout story of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, a debutant side that refuses to be boxed in by expectations. When Mali face South Sudan in the semifinals in Abidjan, it will be more than a clash between experience and energy. It’s a meeting of styles, momentum, and belief.

For Mali, this is familiar ground. For South Sudan, it’s uncharted territory. But at this stage of the competition, no one’s here by chance.

Mali: Steady, Structured, and Still Chasing Gold

Mali’s journey through the tournament has been clinical and efficient. They topped Group A without breaking much of a sweat, controlling games with their composure and strong fundamentals. Their 86–68 quarter-final win over Mozambique showed just how difficult they are to disrupt when they find their rhythm.

Led by star forward Sika Koné, Mali are one of the most complete teams in the tournament. Koné continues to dominate inside, rebounding with purpose and scoring in high-percentage areas. But she’s far from alone. This is a squad that knows how to move the ball, space the floor, and execute. Mali currently lead the tournament in assists per game (21.7), a stat that speaks volumes about their chemistry and ball-sharing philosophy.

Their scoring isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient. Mali averages 72 points per game on 41.3% shooting from the field. Defensively, they’ve been organised and active, limiting opponents to an average of 56 points per game. The depth on their bench has also played a big role, allowing them to maintain intensity for four full quarters.

Having come so close in 2021, when they lost to Nigeria in the final, Mali will be determined not to let another chance slip away. They’re not just playing to reach another final, they’re playing to win it all.

South Sudan: Making History, One Win at a Time

If there’s one story that’s captured hearts and headlines this tournament, it’s South Sudan. In their first-ever appearance at the Women’s AfroBasket, they’ve shattered expectations. Now, they’re one game away from the final.

Their rise hasn’t been accidental; it’s been built on grit, resilience, and fearlessness. After finishing second in their group, South Sudan edged Egypt in the playoffs before stunning Uganda 69-68 in their quarter-final. Every step has been a milestone, but they’ve taken it in stride.

Delicia Washington has been outstanding. The guard has led by example, scoring, facilitating, and defending with relentless energy. But what makes this team special is how well they play for one another. South Sudan led all semifinalists in rebounding, averaging 51 boards per game, a testament to their hustle, positioning, and effort on every possession.

Their perimeter shooting hasn’t been as sharp as other sides, but they make up for it with second-chance points, transition buckets, and sheer effort. They’re physical, unafraid, and bring a tempo that can catch more composed teams off guard.

Earlier in the tournament, these two sides met in the group phase, and Mali narrowly escaped with a 55–53 win. South Sudan came close to pulling off an upset that day, and you can be sure they’ve studied what went wrong and what nearly worked.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FIBA Women’s AfroBasket (@afrobasketwomen)

Key Matchups and What to Expect

Inside Battle: Sika Koné vs South Sudan’s frontcourt. Koné will look to control the paint once again, but South Sudan won’t make it easy. Their ability to dominate the paint and rotate quickly has been impressive. Mali will need to be physical and keep possession under the basket.

Tempo Control: Mali’s structure vs South Sudan’s chaos

Mali thrive in half-court sets and takes pride in dictating pace. South Sudan, meanwhile, is at their best on the open floor. The team that controls tempo early will dictate the flow of the game.

Bench Impact

Mali’s depth has helped them preserve legs for the knockout rounds. South Sudan will need smart rotations to maintain intensity, especially against a side that rarely loses composure.

What’s at Stake

For Mali, a return to the final would be validation of the work they’ve done to remain among Africa’s elite. For South Sudan, a win would be historic, a signal that they are not just a feel-good story, but a legitimate contender on the rise.

The pressure is on Mali to deliver. But South Sudan has played with the freedom of a team with nothing to lose, and that may be their greatest weapon. When the ball tips in Abidjan, don’t expect this one to go quietly. This is a semifinal where anything is possible.