This Saturday's big performance at the Afrobasket came from Uganda. The Gazelles upset 12-time African champions Senegal in Group C. Côte d'Ivoire also put in a fine performance, beating Angola. Guinea fell to Mozambique, while Egypt dismissed the DRC.
Uganda surprise Senegal (85-83)
Uganda creates a sensation at the 2023 Women's Afrobasket.The Ugandans beat Senegal (83-85), one of the best teams in African basketball. The Lionesses, 12-time African champions, struggled against the Gazelles. They were pushed around right to the end.In the first quarter, the Senegalese won by just 5 points (21-17). However, the Ugandans managed to close the gap at the break (38-35).
After the restart, the determined Ugandans caused the Senegalese team huge problems. They even took the lead (22-18). Led by an experienced player like Aya Traoré (29 pts), Senegal thought they'd won the game when they came back to equalize with the Ugandans. In the end, however, the Ugandans came through and joined Mali at the top of Group C. Mali and Senegal go head-to-head on Sunday 30th. Victory would propel Mali into the Afrobasket quarter-finals.
Côte d'Ivoire stuns Angola
Like Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire pulled off a remarkable feat.The Ivorians came from behind to beat Angola.The Ivorians held off the Angolans right to the end. The Elephants trailed 21-13 in the first quarter. The Angolans won the second quarter, but only just to catch up with the Ivorians. The Ivorians returned to the locker room with a 42-37 advantage. On the restart, Côte d'Ivoire took an eleven-point lead at the end of the third quarter (61-50). With their experienced players, Angola rallied in the money time. But Côte d'Ivoire held firm and eventually prevailed.Beaten early on by Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire bounced back in Group A.
Guinea swept aside by Mozambique
Having come last in the previous edition in Cameroon, Guinea were hoping to show a much better side in Rwanda for the 2023 Women's Afrobasket.But the Syli got off on the wrong foot. The Guineans fell heavily to Mozambique in their opening game of the tournament (99-44).
The Mozambicans, beaten by Cameroon on the wire in their first game, got off to a good start, winning the first quarter by a large margin (25-7). They then went on to limit Guinea to just 12 points at the break (47-12).
Fortunately for the Guinean fans, their team came back from the break with more success. They managed to limit the damage in the last two quarters (36-15 and 17-13). However, this heavy defeat (99-44) does not bode well for Guinea, who must now face Cameroon this Sunday morning in the final game of Pool B.
DRC still can't do it
This was the Congo DR's second outing in Group D of the Women's Afrobasket. After their heavy defeat by Nigeria on Friday (69-35), the Congolese were keen to make amends against Egypt. The Egyptians had the upper hand in the first quarter. The unstoppable Egyptians took the lead with a 23-12 scoreline. With their backs against the wall, the Congolese fought back to win the second set 20-15.However, they went into half-time trailing by 6 points (33-38).
Egypt, aiming to make a success of their Afrobasket debut, try to maintain their lead. RD Congo, on the other hand, is determined to avoid jeopardizing its chances of qualifying for the second round. Buoyed by an unstoppable Mariana Muadi (19 pts, 7 rbds at the end of the 3rd quarter), the DRC inflicted a 29-23 defeat on Egypt in the 3rd period and came back to 61 all before the start of the final quarter.
In the end, Egypt won 89-78, thanks in particular to 34 points and 10 rebounds from Nadine Mohamed Sayed Soliman Mohamed, the game's top scorer. For Congo, Muadi finished with 21 points. The DRC suffered their second defeat in as many outings. Egypt join Nigeria at the top of Group D. The two teams meet this Sunday, July 30.
