KIGALI (Rwanda)- Six-time silver medalists Egypt will get a chance to play for a maiden title after beating Cameroon 72-50 in the semis played on Saturday to advance.
The North Africans have reached the last three finals, losing to Mali. Having featured in all eight editions held so far, the side has missed out on the podium once, in 2015, when they placed seventh.
With the victory, the Mohamed Abdelrahman-coached side has qualified for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup, scheduled for Brno, Czech Republic, from July 11 to July 19, 2026.
Arriving in the semis with no blemishes, Egypt were favourites and lived up to expectations, leading from first to last whistle, with Jodi Abdalla and Leila Eissa registering standout performances in the victory.
TURNING POINT: After a 7-2 opening lead for the North Africans, Cameroon leveled the score at 7. Habiba Soliman scored five in quick succession to pull away. A 16-4run for the reigning silver medalists in the opening half of the second quarter had them lead 35-19, but Cameroon fought back for a 10-3 show in the remaining half to cut their deficit to nine (38-29).
Another 12-2 run at the start of the second half frustrated Cameroon’s efforts, the Egyptians dominating the quarter 16-8 for 54-37 heading to the final stanza. Despite putting up a fight to trail 18-16 in the final period, Cameroon had dug themselves too deep for a successful comeback.
HERO: Egypt’s win was a team effort with the 25 assists registered, pointing to aside that shared the ball better than the opponent (7), and kept their mistakes to a minimum.
Coming off the bench, Eissa, who scored all her baskets from deep, adding one of two free throws, emerged top scorer with 19 points in a match where four players on the winning side hit double digits in points.
Abdalla’s double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, her first of the competition, established her as a crucial piece for Egypt on both ends, having hit double digits in points in all the other four matches.
STATS DON’T LIE: From Cameroon’s 24 turnovers, Egypt would score 25 while keeping the damage on their end minimal, conceding eight from 15 turnovers.
The flowers, however, belong to Egypt’s bench contributed 39 points, a depth that could not be challenged by a Cameroon side that managed two points outside the starting five. Egypt shot 10-of-38 from behind the arc, a 26.3% conversion rate that went on to carry the day against Central African’s 2-of-8.
BOTTOM LINE: Egypt are set to play returning Cote d’Ivoire in the final, the latter having stunned 8-time champions Mali 45-40 in the other semi to book their first ever championship game. Having faced Mali in all six finals reached, the North Africans will hope to use their experience against the Ivorians, who last participated 12 years ago, for a maiden title.
FIBA