The most frequently asked question at the Afrobasket for the past decade will be asked no more.
The answer is, « Yes. Angola is beatable. »
Angola’s 10-year unbeaten record in Africa’s biggest tournament came to an end on Saturday, Day 4 of the Afrobasket in Madagascar.
In a tantalizing Group B encounter with Senegal, who had a shaky victory against Morocco two days earlier, the Senegalese claimed an historic 85-78 triumph over the Angolans.
Angola’s previous defeat in the Afrobasket was a 78-70 loss to Algeria in August, 2001.
While the Algerians won the group thanks to that victory, the sides met again in the gold-medal game of the tournament in Casablanca, Morocco, and Angola prevailed.
Angola’s clash with Senegal was a much-anticipated game as they are the only two teams to have won the Afrobasket since 1989.
Angola won 10 of the 11 tournaments, with Senegal finishing top of the podium in 1997 when they hosted the event.
Senegal is also a country that has produced many a player to compete at the highest levels of the game both in North America and Europe.
On Saturday, Angola looked set to continue their winning streak after hitting four shots from long range in the first quarter en route to a 30-18 lead.
In the second frame, however, Senegal coach Alain Weisz put his men in a 3-2 zone and the strategy disrupted the Angolan offensive flow.
Senegal went on a 28-14 run and had a 46-44 advantage as the players walked off the court at half-time.
Angola trailed for most of second half but drew level at 76-76 tie with a fast-break basket by Leonel Paulo with two minutes and 30 seconds to play.
Armando Costa missed a three-pointer, though, and Senegal reclaimed the momentum with a 9-2 run to win the game.
Mouhammad Faye had 18 points for Senegal and substitute Mamadou Ndoye poured in a game-high 22.
The Senegal bench was pivotal as it scored 50 points to just 24 for the Angolans.
In Saturday’s other Group B, Morocco hammered Chad, 89-57.
Abdelhakim Zouita led the Moroccans with 25 points and four assists.
For Chad, Abderamane Mbaindiguim scored 19.
Senegal lead Group B with four points while Angola and Morocco have three points apiece.
Chad have yet to win a game.
In Group D on Saturday, Central African Republic, this time led by Max Kouguere’s 24 points, kept their unbeaten run with an 82-57 romp over Togo.
Jimmy Williams led the Togolese with 20 points but they are 0-2.
Bronze medalists two years ago in Libya, Tunisia destroyed Rwanda, 69-37.
The Tunisians were led by Macram Ben Romdhane’s 20 points.
Kami Kabangu had a team-high 12 points and six boards for the Rwandans.
In Group B on Monday, Morocco play Angola and Senegal square off against Chad while in Group D, Central African Republic (2-0) will battle Tunisia in a fight for the top spot while Togo and Rwanda will meet in a clash of 0-2 teams.
FIBA
