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Angola win AfroBasket after 12 years, beating Mali 70-43.
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D’Tigers exit in quarter-finals, losing 91-75 to Senegal.
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Nigeria now prepares for 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Angola reclaimed their place at the top of African basketball after overpowering Mali 70-43 to lift the AfroBasket title for the first time in twelve years.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that
The Kilamba Arena, filled with over 12,700 passionate fans, erupted as the home side dominated from start to finish. By the third quarter, Angola had surged to a 20-point lead, leaving Mali’s fairytale run to their first-ever final in ruins.
Childe Dudao emerged as Angola’s standout player, scoring 16 points and drawing MVP chants from the crowd in the final quarter. Selton Miguel also contributed strongly with 12 points.
For Mali, Siriman Kanoute’s 14 points and Aliou Diarra’s 11 were not enough to withstand Angola’s relentless defensive display. Their 43-point haul was the lowest by any team in an AfroBasket final in more than three decades.
The victory sealed a perfect campaign for the Angolans, who finished unbeaten with a 6-0 record. Mali, despite the heavy loss, concluded a historic run to the final with a 4-3 record.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers Out in Quarter-Finals
Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, will return to the country today, August 25, after exiting at the quarter-final stage. Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman’s side fell 91-75 to Senegal last Wednesday, ending their campaign abruptly.
Despite early promise in the group stage, where they topped Group B with wins over Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon, the team faltered against Senegal’s firepower. Standout players included Caleb Agada, Josh Okogie, Stan Okoye, and Ike Nwamu.
Some players were forced to cover personal expenses to return early from Angola, as the team remained until their scheduled departure date.
Attention now turns to November when Nigeria begins its qualification journey for the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Qatar. D’Tigers last played at the global event in 2019 under coach Alex Nwora.
