Top performers as curtains fall on FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in Monastir

MONASTIR (Tunisia) - With prestige and honor all to play for on the last day of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers on Sunday, end-to-end action dominated the last match day bringing out the best from all.

The idea of enjoying international basketball at least until later this summer was on every player's mind as they wrapped up their games in a manner that was fulfilling. 

Here are the performers from Qualifiers action in Monastir.

 Evans Ganapamo (Central African Republic)

The 26-year old is a marvel. He can shoot the ball, dunk and play great defense to holistically contribute to his side's incredible performance at this tournament. 

Ganapamo sunk a game-high 16 points and picked six rebounds to inspire the Central African Republic (CAF) to their best performance at the tournament despite losing to the hosts and defending champions Tunisia.

"THIS WAS A TOP PERFORMANCE. WE PLAYED A GREAT GAME AND CHALLENGED A BIG TEAM LIKE TUNISIA. IN THE END, WE MADE SOME MISTAKES AND LOST BUT IT WAS A SOLID ONE FROM US."- Ganapamo

Ganapamo's energy alongside another youngster Allan Julien Dokossi who scored 14 points and picked eight rebounds fuelled veteran Max Kouguere who added 12 points as CAF finished third in Group A with a ticket to the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 in Kigali from August 24 to September 5. 

He later said: "This was a top performance. We played a great game and challenged a great team like Tunisia. In the end, we made some mistakes and lost, but it was a solid one from us." 

Youssef Aboushousha (Egypt)

Since making his debut, Youssef Aboushousha has grown incredibly on court and it showed immensely in this tournament. 

His 14 points against Morocco in a very tightly contested North African derby showed his quality and the depth of the Pharaohs as captain Haytham Khalifa came off the bench to add 13 points. 

Makram Ben Romdhane (Tunisia)

When you carry the captain's tag around with you, there is no space for mediocrity especially when everyone looks at you as the go-to person on court. 

For Romdhane, he is used to the pressure that comes with massive expectations and he has learned to embrace it and use it to inspire him. 

In the face of their biggest challenge since the beginning of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, Romdhane held his ground with the idea of protecting their home ground in mind. 

His experience came in handy and his double double including 16 rebounds, 14 points and five steals earned him the man-of-game performance and a standing ovation from the home fans. 

 Mathieu Kamba (Democratic Republic of Congo)

With two losses registered already at this tournament, the Leopards were desperate to perform and go home with their heads held up high.

Up rose Mathieu Kamba who stepped up to the occasion and dropped an incredible 21 points and picked eight rebounds to guide Mathias Eckhoff's side to an 89-64 victory over Madagascar. 

He told FIBA.basketball that, "On every team that I play on, I always play a different role. On some teams, I am the go-to person on offense and sometimes, I am the one allocated a defensive role or both. I always try to do the best for my team." 

The Leopards have qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 and this year's edition will be their seventh appearance at the biggest stage of African basketball. 

FIBA