KIGALI (Rwanda) – In a historic night for the team, Cameroon secured their place in the FIBA U16 AfroBasket Final on their first attempt.
The newcomers were fearless from the outset and overpowered a depleted but experienced Malian squad, thereby announcing their arrival on the continental stage.
Cameroon appeared to be in complete control from the outset, establishing a double-digit lead and extending their advantage to 14 points by the end of the first quarter. However, as the former champions often do, Mali fought back.
They closed the gap to four points by half-time and were trailing by just two points midway through the third quarter.
Each time Mali threatened, however, Cameroon found a way to respond, showing maturity beyond their years.
By the closing stages, with Mali throwing everything forward, it was Cameroon’s composure that proved to be their greatest asset. They weathered the storm, made key saves, and found solutions at the crucial moment to secure a memorable victory.
TURNING POINT: The tone was set early on, with Nolan Ngangmeni scoring the opening basket and Luther Maboula quickly following suit.
This initial burst gave Cameroon a commanding 22–8 lead after the first quarter, which was to remain their largest of the contest.
However, the defining moment came in the fourth period.
When Mali briefly took the lead, the Indomitable Cubs did not panic. Instead, they regrouped and the final 10 minutes turned into a thrilling battle of attrition. Outscoring Mali 21–18 in the final quarter, Cameroon emerged victorious.
With just over two minutes remaining, Olivier Ngoumou extended the lead to 55–49. Moustapha Doumbia responded with four quick points to keep Mali in contention, before Ngangmeni stepped up and calmly converted four free throws.
Bakary Ballo’s long-range three pulled Mali within striking distance at 59–56, but once again, Ngangmeni had the last say, hitting two clutch free throws to seal the victory and spark celebrations.
HERO: All eyes were on Ngangmeni, and he delivered once again.
The point guard, who is increasingly tipped as a frontrunner for the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, showcased both efficiency and leadership.
He scored 23 points, making all six of his free throws and five of his three-pointers.
Playing for a game-high 37 minutes, he also provided three assists and four rebounds, finishing with an efficiency rating of 16. Most importantly, he led his team to victory when the pressure was at its peak.
STATS DON’T LIE: Cameroon’s energy on the boards proved decisive.
They collected 20 offensive rebounds and turned them into 10 crucial second-chance points, compared to Mali’s six.
Their bench also made an impact, contributing 22 points, led by Félix Deumi with 14.
Mali dominated inside the paint, scoring 36 points to Cameroon’s 24, but this wasn't enough to tip the balance in their favour.
BOTTOM LINE: Cameroon’s dream debut has already exceeded expectations. By eliminating Mali, the Indomitable Cubs secured a place in the final and one of Africa’s two coveted tickets to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.
Having made history, they are now setting their sights on Côte d’Ivoire, hoping to crown their fairytale run with a trophy.
FIBA