ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - It's the D-Day at the 2022 FIBA U18 African Championship, in Mahamas as Egypt prepare to take on hosts Madagascar in the big finale. 

Both teams have shown character, displayed discipline and skills, thus bringing them to where they are.

Now the big question is: who will take home the trophy, as the two teams cross paths in the Finals for the first time in their history?

Continental giants Egypt want the trophy back. They came here with two goals, the first one, going to the World Cup being already attained.

They are now working on the second aim.

"A third or fourth-place finish is not in our plans. We're here to claim the title and bring it back home." These words have been pronounced often by Mohamed Hendy and Belal Elshakery, two of Egypt's prominent players.

And they have clearly shown their intentions during the past weeks, as they fended off Angola, Guinea and Algeria.

With an average of 52 points per game, Egypt present some solid offensive arguments, that come in the shape of Hendy, Elshakery, Ibrahim Zahran, or Aly Aly. But they are best at discipline.

We have barely seen coach Amr Aboul Kheir lose his nerve or reprimand his players because of them getting too confident or loose in their game.

Madagascar, on the other hand, present way better statistics.

The Malagasy have only been beaten by Senegal in the Group Phase. They then recovered admirably by ousting every opponent, even the reigning champions Mali, on their way to the Finals.

Statistically, they have scored an average 56.6 points per game.

And since the tournament kicked off almost two weeks ago, there have been a number of players capable of positive impact on the game.

Mathias M'Madi is the first name that comes to mind. But he also has teammates, such as Jerry Pepin Rabibisoa, or Lovasoa Ny Aina Andriatsarafara, who can pick up should they need too.

Although they can bear the weight of the pressure, M'Madi remains the cornerstone of Madagascar's attack, as he has been proving it game after game.

Let's not, however, forget that Madagascar are playing in front of their fans, who will be pushing, no matter what, for their team.

Will Madagascar make it ? Or will Egypt shatter the locals' dream of being African champions? In any way, it will be an epic match.

FIBA