PHOENIX (FIBA U16 African Championship 2017) – It's Semi-Finals day in Phoenix, Mauritius as Mali, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt will battle it out for a place in the Final of this year's FIBA U16 African Championship. 

MALI vs ALGERIA

In the first clash of the semis, Mali will face off Algeria. This is a rematch as the two sides met at the same stage two years ago, in Bamako. At the time, Mali knocked off the North Africans thanks to a 65-39 win.
This is a much awaited encounter as Mali have their eyes set on the trophy and Algeria are confident that they can make history. The West Africans who concluded their Group A campaign with a 5-0 mark are favorites but they need to stay focus.

Even if they are seen as the underdogs, Algeria want to be the itch that makes Mali tremble. “We are here with the firm intention of upsetting Mali. They have tall players, and we’d like to outrun them inside the paint,” Algeria’s head coach Benakouche Azzedine, told FIBA.basketball.

EGYPT vs TUNISIA


Reigning champions Egypt - who ended the Group Phase unbeaten (5-0) - will take on Tunisia for the remaining spot. Back in 2015, Egypt cruised past Tunisia 93-85 at the Quarter-Finals stage. This means the Pharaos are favorites to reach the Final for the fifth time in a row.

“We are here to win”, Egypt's head coach Hedy Hany, said. The motto has remained the same and Egypt have displayed so much skills that it would be difficult not to believe them.

Egypt will surely rely on their physical abilities and technique to overcome Tunisia, who are looking to put the current champions to pace.

FIBA