Kenya and DR Congo to battle it out for the maiden #AfroCan title
BAMAKO (Mali) - Kenya posted a resounding 96 - 66 win over Morocco to set up FIBA AfroCan 2019 final against Democratic Republic of Congo who got the better of Angola by 84-78points on Thursday night at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga 6in Bamako, Mali.
Kenya finished second behind Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B losing their first game to the Congolese (82-65) roar back to defeat Nigeria in their second game 81-69.
The Kenyans put an end to Cote d'Ivoire's ambition of reaching the Quarter-Finals thanks to an 85-83 success in the Round of 16 to set up a Quarter Final battle against pre-tournament favourite Tunisia a clash they won through overtime by 82-76.
HISTORY! Kenya men's team reaches first-ever major Africa title game! Congrats #Morans 🇰🇪🎉
— FIBA (@FIBA) 25 juillet 2019
📊 https://t.co/HDEcJxVsjf pic.twitter.com/Klsk0SwtdT
Not done from where they left off on Wednesday night, the Coach Cliff Owuor tutored side entered the Semi-final battle against Morocco as the underdog because not much is known of them as Kenya men national team have been absent from continental championship for a long time.
But that proved to their advantage as they led Morocco who parades some big names in African basketball from the jump-ball opening up a 31-point advantage going into the last quarter and efforts by Morocco Soufiane Kourdou and his teammates to turn things around could only yield a point deduction as Kenya went to win by 96-66 points.
The duo of Eric Reuben Mutoro and Tylor Ongwae posted 52 of their team's total with Mutoro scoring 32 points while Ongwae added 20 to aid their side match to the final where they will slug it against their Group B victor DR Congo on Saturday evening.
Democratic Republic of Congo who have remain unbeaten in four games having defeated Kenya (82-65) and Nigeria (81-55) fought a big battle to stop Chad by 67-60 in the Quarter-Final before filing out against Angola in a tough semi-final match-up on Thursday evening.
The Congolese won the semi-final game against Angola by 84-78 points with six of it players posting double figures.
Maxi Munanga Shamba (20), Evariste Shonganya (17), Rolly Fula Nganga, Arsene Mutomb Mbav and Pitchou Kambuy Manga contributing 12 points apiece, and Jordan Sacko added 11 for their win of the night.
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