19th Fiba AWC: Congo, Mali in winning streak

The Congolese whitewash Niger female national team 88-40 of (15-14), (17-12), (16-10) and (40-04) to become the first team to make it to the semi-finals with one group-B game left.

Koko Mbudi led the team with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assist, Akonga Msimbo added 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 block shots, 2 assists and 2 steal while the duo of Tangam Tshuina and Musau kalundu contributed 11 points apiece.

On the Niger side Aichatou Amadou led her other teammates with 12 points, one rebounds, 3 assists and one steal. The coach Ahmado Guokoye tutored side will on Saturday take on Gabon while the Congolese side will play their last group-B game against Angola.

Niger coach, Guokoye attributed his team scandalous lose especially in the last quarter they could only to score four points as against Congo’s 40 to inexperience and exhaustion of his players, but was optimistic that his ward will take the game against Gabon on Saturday.

In group-A Mali woke up from its initial 51-41 points lose to post its first win over Cape Verde with an 81-56 points of (27-12), (15-07), (26-17) and (13-20).

The Malian were led on the scorer chat by Maiga Hamchetou who posted double-double figure of 23 points grabbing 13 rebounds, as the duo of Drame Kadiatou and Sininta Aminata contributed 14 and 12 points respectively.

Mali’s hope of making the last four rest on its last group game against host Nigeria whose ego was bruised by Senegal Thursday and will want to put everything in its arsenal into the game against Mali so as to make the last four where she would likely be paired against Congo DRC who look good to top group-B.

Cape Verde coach Emmanuel Trovoada says he is satisfied with his player’s performance against the Malian.

“I am satisfied with the way my players played today (Friday) against the Mali team who are more exposed and experienced, though we lost but not disgraced”, opined coach Trovoada.