With only eight teams left in the women’s edition of the 2017 Afro Basketball Championship, the clash for the final four spots in the tournament will today, August 25, kickoff at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maïga in Bamako, Mali.
In the first game, Ivory Coast who is yet to reach the finals of the competition will be hoping to reach its third semi final since 2009 when they take on two-time winners and unbeaten quarter finalists, Nigeria.
Five-time semi-finalists, Nigeria surpassed Ivory Coast to lead the head-to-head record between the two sides by winning its fourth out of seven games by 88-43 points in their previous meeting in 2015.
Nigeria, advanced to the quarter finals as winners of Group B after collecting wins in all of its five games, while Ivory Coast finished fourth in Group A after winning two out of five.
A win for Ivory Coast will tie the head-to-head record, while Nigeria will be looking to extend the record to a two-game margin.
In the second game, three times silver medalists Mozambique will be up against 2011 and 2013 back-to-back champions Angola, who will be looking to reach its record 10th semifinal in the biannual competition.
Angola holds a record 8 wins out of 12 in the head-to-head record. This will be a repeat of 2013 final when both teams last met in Mozambique that witnessed Angola clinch the title after defeating the hosts 64-61 points.
In today’s third game, first ever winners and double champions Egypt, formerly the United Arab Republic, will hit the court looking forward to upsetting the hosts and Group A runners-up, Mali.
Both teams have so far met twice and will be looking for a record win but most importantly, advance to the last four of the competition.
In a repeat of last edition’s final, Cameroon will take on tough opponents and record title holders (11 titles) Senegal. Last edition’s Finals were Cameroon’s first ever when they were defeated by Senegal by 81-66 points, an 8th win for the latter out of the eight meetings.
Feature Photos: FIBA.Basketball
