Mali fly high on Day 1 at FIBA 3x3 U18 Africa Cup 2019

KAMPALA (Uganda) - Mali had a perfect day in both and women on Friday at the FIBA 3x3 U18 Africa Cup 2019 in Kampala, Uganda on November 8.

The men put on a show in their lone game of Day 1 versus Kenya (21-7). Bourama Coulibaly and N'tio Modibo Diarra scored 8 points apiece. Mali are already qualified for the quarter-finals after Kenya lost both games. The matchup to watch on Day 2 will be Mali versus Egypt. Egypt rising star Youssef Helmy was actually the top scorer on Day 1 (10 points), together with Nigeria ace Kanyionsola Odufuwa.

In the women's category, Mali won 2 difficult games on opening day: a 12-9 success over Nigeria and then a nail-biting 8-6 overtime win against Egypt. After shining in basketball youth competitions (U17 World Cup last year and U19 World Cup this year), Diarrah Sissoko took off on her 3x3 debut. She was the top scorer with just 12 points in 2 games.Mali - Egypt will be the game to watch on Day 2 and the winners will make it to the quarter-finals. 

Learn more by checking the full scores, pool standings and top scorers statistics on the official website of the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup.