MONASTIR (Tunisia) - Mali and Guinea became the first teams to advance to the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championships Semi-Finals after successful Quarter-Finals fixtures on Wednesday. 

MALI BEAT RESILIENT MOROCCO

Mali's 76-74 nail-biting win over Morocco was breathtaking encounter. 

Nothing could translate better the intensity of the game than the 15 lead changes and seven times it was tied.

The wards of Coach Mamoutou Kane trailed in the first quarter of the game as Morocco had control in the early minutes of the game and kept a stranglehold to lead 40-37 at the break. 

However, Mali turned the events in the third quarter as they outscored Morocco 27-17.

Mali's Sidy Toure was superb, finishing with a game-high 27 points while Sekou Ousmane Bagayoko added 15 points.

Sidy told FIBA.basketball after the game that his team's victory was deserved but admitted that Morocco fought a good fight. "Our victory is a good one and everyone deserve commendation for it. Our next task is getting a win in the Semi-Finals as our target is taking the trophy home." 

Chectare Baradji agrees with him stating that it's the trophy for Mali or nothing else. "We're determined to go all the way in this championship and take the trophy back home."

Rayane Solhi was again in his elements as he scored 23 points for his side and Omar Karem added 19 points but it was not enough to give them victory over the 2021 finalist.

Morocco  Coach Mohamed Nizar Mesbahi was full of praises for his wards following their performance. "My players did a good job of playing Mali in their own style. This was because we had watched their videos to understand what to expect and my players did well. I must commend them for their tenacity and drive."

The West African extended their winning streak to 5-0, while Morocco dropped to 1-4.

COTE D'IVOIRE v GUINEA

Guinea maintained their invincibility in the tournament as they trounced Cote d'Ivoire 106-43.

The Guineans had a clear start in the first quarter with a score of 28-15 and in the second quarter opened up the gap further to 31-16.

The third quarter got worse for Cote d'Ivoire as the wards of Coach Eloi Ngardinga were restricted to just 5 points as Guinea took the score to 25-5 just as the last quarter was no different as Guinea took it convincingly at 22-7.

Karanmadi Gassama, who played 23:10 minutes, scored a game-high 22 points while the duo of Nour Gassim Toure and Araphan Diane added 21 each. The wards of Coach Ibrahima Toure were massive from the bench with 37-18 of Cote d'Ivoire as well as 39-12 points fro fast breaks.

The player who had the most fun in the game was Araphane Diane who recorded the most rebound (23) while dunking the ball at every given opportunity.

Guinea remain undefeated after five games while Cote d'Ivoire dropped to 1-4.

FIBA