MAPUTO (FIBA U18 Wome’s African Championship 2018) - Group B heavyweights Mali and Angola emerged winners on Day 2 at the ongoing FIBA U18 Women’s African Championship in Maputo.

Reigning Champions Mali gave a showcase of their ambitions as they trounced DR Congo 99-33, while Angola saw off Uganda 63-29.

The name to remember for Mali’s side is without any contest that of Assetou Sissoko.

The young lady netted 24 points, and is currently topping the scorers’ leaderboard. Things started and ended well for the title contenders, as Sissoko and Co. demonstrated all their intentions, giving the DR Congo side a dark day.

The West Africans did the job as of the start, as the Congolese trailed 42-15 at half time break..

Yet, even when they were leading, the Malians never ceased to put pressure on their opponents, who simply had a day off.

Despite this comprehensive win, Mali's head coach Amadou Bamba is aware that they are just at the beginning of their campaign and need to be focused on their main target as there are still rooms for improvement.

"Even with this victory, I have seen some flaws in our game. This easy win means that the work is underway. But we are not planning to stop here. We cannot go back without the trophy. This simply cannot be imagined, ”he told FIBA.basketball

In the day’s opener, Angola dispatched Uganda 63-29, but despite this resounding win the Lusophones had a tough beginning with a pugnacious Ugandan side, who fought them with all their might.

However, the East-Africans could maintained the same Momentum in the second half, as they netted only 10 points which was not enough to stop Anibal Moreira's side.

FIBA