SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - For two years, Mali struggled to figure out how and why they suffered a humiliating FIBA Africa U16 defeat in front of home fans against Egypt. Now they've found the answer.

At the time, hosts Mali were arguably rated as one of the most talented and qualified teams to win the 2015 edition of the African Championship.

Nevertheless, Egypt stormed into Bamako, beat seven of their eight opponents (despite a Group Phase defeat to Mali) to eventually claim their third FIBA Africa U16 title in four editions dating back to 2009.

Two years have passed since the disappointing 64-63 home defeat to Egypt in the final, and Mali not only denied Egypt their fourth continental title but they also became the new kings of Africa U16 thanks to a 76-65 triumph over the Pharaohs. 

In a game that Mali led all but 01:10 minute, led by as many as 16 points, the new African champions deservedly wrote a new chapter in their basketball history.  

The Malians arrived in Mauritius - where eight African countries convened for the biennial event - ready to do whatever was necessary to win their first-ever FIBA Africa U16 Championship. And everything worked out perfectly. 

Mali finished with eight wins in as many games, secured a ticket for next year's FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina and had Siriman Kanoute - a new star in the making who was crowned the tournament Most Valuable Player.

As well as leading the tournament in scoring with 24.8 points per game, the 15-year-old guard set a FIBA Africa U16 record by scoring 50 points. That's right, Kanoute took 51 shots to finish with 50 points in a 165-23 win over hosts Mauritius. 

Kanoute headlined the All-Tournament team alongside Faiez Ghomrassi (Tunisia), Aly Abdelrahman Khalifa (Egypt), Thierry Nkundwa(Rwanda) and Oumar Ballo (Mali).

Prior to the final, Kanoute revealed why he and his teammates were destined to make history. "We want this title so badly," he said at the time. "It is the only thing that’s missing in our history."

As Angola, the winners of the 2013 edition pulled out two days before the start of the tournament, and the recurring absences of Senegal, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Egypt and Algeria emerge as the FIBA Africa U16 undisputed title contenders. For the second straight time, these three nations finished on the podium of the competition.

The 2018 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina will be Mali's next challenge. After all, no African team has ever reached the Quarter-Finals of the competition.

Can they do it? Well, with so many appearances at world stage competitions, Mali Basketball Federation should be by now experienced enough to build a competitive team.

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

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