DOUALA (Cameroon) - Cameroon made sure to finish their FIBA AfroCan qualifying camp on home soil with a resounding win.
After a costly 83-80 loss to Gabon on the opening day of the FIBA Africa Zone 4 qualifiers, the Indomitable Lions thrashed debutants the Republic of Congo 86-63 to finish second in the regional qualifiers.
This was the second-largest winning margin in the tournament.
Although Monday's clash had little at stake, as Gabon's two wins in as many games had secured their second qualification for the quadrennial FIBA AfroCan, Cameroon ensured that they would finish their campaign on a positive note. However, the win came a little too late.
Coach François Enyegue relied on his substitutes, led by Dylan Ngompe Lele, who contributed 52 of Cameroon's 83 points.
Lele caused Congo all sorts of trouble with his 7-for-16 shooting from the floor, including 5-for-10 from behind the arc, and finished with a game-high 20 points.
Désiré Mouzita and Samuel Johnny Mouyayangui did everything they could to secure Congo's first win in two games, but their 14 points apiece could not prevent them from dropping to 0–2.
Cameroon finished with a record of 1–1, while Congo returned home with a record of 0–2. Gabon secured their ticket to the 2027 FIBA Africa showpiece, remaining undefeated in two games.
FIBA