Day 1 of the Women's Afrobasket came to a close on Friday with victories for Mali, Rwanda, Cameroon and Nigeria. Some of the players who shone for their country were Djenaba Ndiaye (25 pts), Destiney Promise Philoxy (18 pts) and Carine Silatsa (13 pts, 10 rbds).
African runners-up Mali made a successful start to the 28th edition of the Women's Afrobasket 2023 by dominating Uganda (80-66). While this was a collective performance, it was also the work of a player who has risen through the ranks with the national jersey. The player in question is Djeneba Ndiaye, who plays fullback. The player from Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom).
In 36 minutes of play, Djeneba racked up 25 pts, 2 rbds, 5 assists and 7 steals, for a score of +19. She is playing in her 4th Afrobasket after 2015, 2019 and 2021. In the mixed zone, the African U16 (2013) and U18 (2018) champion dreams of lifting the continental trophy. "We're here to win the cup. We're not going to give up on any opponent, whether it's Senegal or anyone else," she confided. Uganda held off Mali for the first 2 quarters. But the difference in level was considerable, despite a fine performance from inside midfielder Claire Lamunu (10 pts, 9 rbds).
Destiney makes history.
With a comprehensive 64-35 victory over Côte d'Ivoire, Rwanda ended a 12-year drought at the 2023 Women's Afrobasket.They hadn't won an Afrobasket match since October 2011. That was in the 9th-place play-off against Tunisia (57-54). At 22, Destiney Promise Philoxy was the architect of this historic victory with (18 pts, 2 rbds, 7 assists) for a +17 rating. The point guard is new to Afrobasket and is one of the local players selected by Cheikh Sarr. The win puts Rwanda on the right track for a place in Sunday's quarter-finals against Angola.
Pallas, the Nigerian revelation
Nigeria drowned DR Congo (69-35) thanks to their collective strength.Four players scored 10 pts or more. These were Balogun Elizabeth (11 pts), Okoro Ifunaya (11 pts), Sarah Ogoke (10 pts) and Oluwayemisi Taiwo (10 pts).However, the best Nigerian performer was Pallas Kanaiyi-Akpannah (4 pts, 10 rbds, +15 rating). At 26, she can play in the 4 and 5 positions. This is an asset for this 1m88 player. Nigeria will be able to rely on Pallas to win this 4th consecutive title, which will be the 6th in their history.
Carine Silatsa scores a double-double
3rd in 2021, Cameroon kicked off their 2023 Women's Afrobasket with a 55-53 win over Mozambique. The Indomitable Lionesses were buoyed by Carine Silatsa, author of a double-double (13 pts, 10 rbds) in 31 minutes of play.
The 25-year-old winger is the 1st player to score a double-double in this 28th edition of the tournament. She eclipsed the strong Mozambican winger Odélia Mafanela (18 pts) in 25 minutes. The 34-year-old is competing in her 8th Afrobasket (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023).She was silver medallist with Mozambique in 2013.
