FIBA AfroBasket 2017 registers huge attendance figures in Tunis and Dakar

TUNIS (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Tunis and Dakar - the two host cities of the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 - have recorded huge attendance figures.

In the Senegalese capital of Dakar, where eight teams - South Africa, Egypt, Mozambique, Senegal, Angola, Central African Republic, Morocco and Uganda - played the Group Phase, local fans sold out every Senegal game at the 4,000-seat Marius Ndiaye Gymnasium. 

Nevertheless, local fans weren't the only ones filling in the seats.

Central African Republic supporters as well as Angolans made their presence felt in Dakar.

Asked to talk about the feeling of playing in front of his fellow Senegalese, Dakar native Mouhammad Faye responded: "Unbelievable experience. There is nothing like playing at home. One of the best experiences in my career."

Meanwhile, two years ago, Tunisia established a new single-game attendance record for an indoor basketball game in Africa at Salle Omnisports de Rades when a sell-out crowd of 13,000 turned out for the game between the host nation against Mali in the 2015 FIBA AfroBasket Quarter-Finals. 

That mark could easily be beaten this week, had the organization made all seats available. 

Tunisians of all ages and different walks of life have turned out to celebrate the beauty of African basketball, in a remarkable interaction with players.

In Friday's clash between Morocco against Tunisia, 12,000 fans filled in all available seats at Salle Omnisports de Rades.

FIBA