ANTANANARIVO (Madgascar) - The Palais des Sports in Mahamas, Madagascar, will bustle again on Day 3 of the FIBA U18 African Championship.

And the losing teams from Friday's action will look to make it right as we are nearing the end of the Group phase. 

In Saturday's first game, Senegal will take on Algeria in Group A.

When Senegal and Algeria last met in the 2018 FIBA U18 African Championship in Bamako, Mali, Senegal prevailed 70-50 before reaching the Final against host Mali.

Algeria vs Senegal in the 2018 U18 African Championship 

Far from being Senegal's main threat in this year's tournament, Algeria have to show a very competitive edge in order to earn some respect in Mahamas.

A thorough look into both squads, history and experience indicates that Senegal are favourites although Algeria can't be underestimated. 

Two years ago, Senegal did shatter Mali's confidence in the Championship Game, but the latter came back and won the title.

So this year, it is all about making it to the final and have revenge, and Algeria appears as their first hurdle.

RWANDA v GUINEA

Group B will be the more active today as Rwanda take on Guinea and Egypt and Mali clash later in the day.

The first game for Group B will see the teams that were defeated on their inaugural run. And they would both want to grab the win.

Ibrahima Diallo, the Guinean captain, who accounted for 20 points against Egypt, wants to start afresh as they face a new opponent. Guinea head coach Zeljko Zecevic should have made some adjustments to what the team has been missing, especially free-throws.

"It's my job to give them the confidence to take free throws. We missed a lot against Egypt and we will work towards getting more in neext time," the Serbian play-caller said.

For Rwanda, it will be a story of starting over. "We will have to remain concentrated and make sure we do the right things," says coach Yves Murenzi.

PREVIEW OF THE 2022 FINAL?

The highlight of the day will be the clash between Mali and Egypt, one of the hottest rivalries in Africa at this level and what is seen as a preview of the final.

Egypt have a straight 2-0 record here while Mali have suffered an unexpected blow. They are 1-1.

Egypt will look forward to continuing their winning ways, while resting on their roster to do the job.

Mali lost to Egypt in the Group Phase of the 2020 U18 African Championship in Cairo, but they upset Egypt in the Semifinals

Mohamed Hendy, who scored 16 points against Guinea, says that there is more to Egypt than meets the eye. "We can do much, much better than that. But we have to remain focused for that."

For Mali, it is already a do-or-die game.

Like Mali's head coach Moussa Cisse said, "every team is here to achieve something." The West Africans will have to find new motivation as they take on the team that can shatter them.

"After our first game, we were overconfident. Now, we've understood the lesson and we promise to do a better match start," adds Abdramane Kanoute. The clash sure promises to produce sparkles.

FIBA