AfroBasket 2017 Day Three Full Report
The group stage of AfroBasket 2017 has concluded, and a field of familiar teams and challengers looking to make a name for themselves have advanced to the knockout round in Rades. Here is all the action from day three as it happened:
Both Rwanda and Cameroon had the chance to qualify for the quarter finals, and behind a leading performance from Kenneth Gasana, Rwanda had an early advantage. Cameroon responded well, three of their players had fifteen-plus points and they took it at the end of the game, winning 81 to 77 and sealing their place in the knockout round. Meanwhile, Egypt's short-range shooting ability to draw fouls saw them outscore South Africa 14-2 at the end of the first quarter. South Africa attempted a comeback in the second half, but Egypt remained consistent and strong and finished the game 70-51.
Nigeria's inside skills saw them in control of the first half in their game against Democratic Republic of Congo. DRC, however, used their greater physicality to their advantage: making the most of every possession and taking advantage of inattentive Nigerian defence. Nigeria would not go down without a fight, but the DRC’s strength and stealing ability gave them an edge late in the game to ensure they would finish the victors.
A close first half between Morocco and Uganda later gave way into Morocco taking control of the remainder of the game. Uganda managed an impressive 10 three-point shots, but good play in the paint from Morocco would give them the edge they needed for the win. They won this final group game by nine points, and advanced as winners of Group B.
Alpha Diallo on the inside and Malick Kone from outside saw Guinea lead Tunisia at the end of the first half. Eventually Guinea found themselves worn down by good inside play from Tunisia's bench - the North Africans' bench players scoring a combined 39 points. It was Guinea's best performance in the tournament, but it was not enough to stop Tunisia. A final three from Makram Ben Romdhane sealed the win for Tunisia, but only by five points.
In Dakar, Senegal were in command against Mozambique, and in the final quarter the co-hosts started to run away with the game, where they out-scored Mozambique 30 to 14. With the tournament moving on to Tunisia for the final phase, Senegal bid farewell to their home fans with a 80-49 win.
Against Cote d'Ivoire, Mali got off to a good start, putting in two scoring runs of seven and six points. They did not lose this momentum, and later went on a twelve-point run in the second half. Mahamadou Drame had 21 points for Mali, one of five players in double figures, as Mali bowed out of the tournament with a great win over Cote d'Ivoire, the final score 92-63.
The final game of the day would decide the final place in the knockout stage - Angola or Central African Republic. With the scores tied at the end of the first quarter it looked like a hard one to call, but Angola dominated the second quarter, limiting CAF to just two baskets. Angola's captain Carlos Morais had 17 points and helped his team fend of the Central African defence, and the points kept coming from the Angolans. Winning 66-44, Angola clinched second place in the group.
With the group stage complete, the tournament's knockout stage begins on Thursday 14th with the following quarter final match-ups:
Morocco vs Egypt
Nigeria vs Cameroon
Tunisia vs Democratic Republic of Congo
Senegal vs Angola
Ahead of the business end of this year's AfroBasket tournament, find out all you need to know over on the tournament's official website.
