ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The semi-finals of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket are set, and there were no surprises in Thursday’s quarter-finals.
As anticipated, Mali, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon advanced.
With a place in the finals and a ticket to the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup at stake, intense competition is expected at the Palais des Sports de Treichville on Saturday.
Can Senegal make the finals at the expense of Mali?
Mali have played at three of the last five finals. Two of the finals have been against Senegal, but the Malians have come out on top in both meetings.
The semi-final clash presents Senegal with a chance to get one over Mali and reach their first final since 2020.
Senegal fended off a major challenge from Madagascar while Mali held off a late run from Tunisia.
What are Key Match-Ups
Abdoul Karim Diallo has been a presence for Mali in the paint on both ends of the court, as has been Senegal skipper Code Mbengue. Their battle in the paint could decide the game.
Mohamed Keita has been instrumental for Mali with his shooting and transition, but in a game where there are likely to be very few transition opportunities, the battle with his opposite, Pape Diallo, is one to look out for.
What do the Stats say?
Mali have been averaging 74.5 points per game, which means they are a scoring team, while Senegal average 58.3 points per game.
Defensively, Senegal have kept all their opponents under 50 points, including the defeat to Cameroon.
Mali have held their opponents under 50 apart from the quarterfinals against Tunisia, but they are unbeaten at the tournament stretching to the 2020 edition.
Can Cameroon keep Côte d’Ivoire from riding home wave to the final?
Something has to give when hosts Côte d’Ivoire and 2024 silver medalists Cameroon fight it out for a place in the 2026 U18 AfroBasket title game.
Côte d’Ivoire have ridden the wave of enthusiasm from their home crowd to reach the semifinals of the tournament and next up face a strong challenger in a Cameroon side hungry to return to the final in pursuit of their first continental title.
What are Key Match-Ups
Cameroon have won their game through interior presence. Rony Ewanke and Daryl Baya have been at the center of the inside game. For Côte d’Ivoire, it has been Deh-Dimitri Azema and Chris Junior Echui imposing frontcourt dominance. The battle down low among this quartet promises to be interesting.
In the backcourt, it will be a battle between shooting guards James Minlend (Cameroon) and Nathan Djako as well as Karl-Randel Kouame-Zeze (Côte d’Ivoire)
What do the Stats say?
Cote d’Ivoire have not been particularly solid defensively but have rather depended on their ability to score. They have allowed over 50 points in all four games they have played but have won all by at least 9 points.
Cameroon, on the other hand, have relied on their defense to deliver the goods. They have held their opponents to under 50 points with the exception of the group game against Rwanda.
FIBA