NAIROBI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Host Angola and Africa's fifth-ranked Egypt emerged as the first two teams qualified for the quarterfinals, each with three straight wins in the group phase.

Before a raucous crowd of 5,000 home fans, Angola, boasting 11 continental titles, on Saturday clinched a thrilling 66-64 victory over South Sudan on a free throw made in the dying seconds to top Group C.

Ranked No.1 in Africa, South Sudan trailed throughout the first three quarters before mounting a late comeback in the final period. With 14 seconds left on the clock, the Bright Stars cut the deficit to just two points, but Both Tut Gach's three-point attempt missed, leaving the score untouched.

The game was intensely physical, with Angola committing 28 fouls, 14 more than South Sudan. Though South Sudan outclassed Angola in rebounds, 20 turnovers proved costly for the East African heavyweight.

Angola's Abou Gakou had a game-high 13 points, including three three-pointers, and also contributed four rebounds.

"What is important first is to qualify, not to win the game. We didn't even want to go to overtime. If we have to lose by one, it's okay ... We lose, but we qualify," said Angola's head coach Jose Claros Canals.

"If they score a double or two free throws, we go to the overtime. Maybe they win by 11 points, and then we don't qualify for the quarterfinals," he added.

In another Group C matchup, Guinea delivered a commanding 83-55 victory over Libya.

The West African side opened the game with a barrage of three-pointers, finishing the first quarter with a 26-10 lead. Throughout the clash, Guinea fired 11 three-pointers and grabbed 53 rebounds, with four players scoring in double digits.

In Group D, Egypt defeated Uganda 77-64 to register a third win in a row.

The Pharaohs gained the upper hand, especially in the third quarter, where they unleashed a ferocious 17-2 attack to widen their advantage. Power forward Amr Abdelhalim led the team with a game-high 17 points.

"We started with low energy," said Egypt's head coach Mohamed Mounir Youssef Elkerdany. "From after four, five minutes for the third quarter, we came back to play with our energy and momentum, and we kept fighting."

Meanwhile, Senegal mounted an impressive second-half comeback to overcome Mali 80-70 in a hard-fought clash.

As per the tournament format, the second and third-placed teams in each group will compete in the qualification round for the quarterfinals.

Libya and Uganda, finishing at the bottom of Groups C and D, have bowed out of the 31st AfroBasket. ■