Madagascar feel surprise package, Uganda's punch; Angola outclass Tanzania

 

ANTSIRABE (Madagascar) The atmosphere at the Gymansae Couvert D'Antsirabe  was electric on Saturday afternoon as the Madagascar team was making their second appearance in the FIBA U18 Women's African Championship.

Unfortunately the opening  Group A encounter against  Uganda did not go according to script for the hosts, as they lost a thrilling encounter 59-54. 

The odds should have favoured the home team, as Uganda arrived on Friday and had to make the six-hour trip from the capital Antananarivo to Antsirabe. Instead the Malagasy found an Uganda battle hardened by the adversity.

Led by centre Sarah Namale's double-double (11 points and 16 rebounds),  a team high 18 points from  forward Diana Letaru, who was also superb from behind the arc (4 for 8), this Ugandan team packed a serious punch, which Madagascar felt.  

On the Madagascar side Marion Rosolofoson's game-high 19 points and Kristina Rakotobe's 18 points were not enough deliver the much desired victory.

From the first quarter Uganda looked unnerved by the magnitude of the occasion as they settled easily in game. 

Letaru, who would finish the first half with 11 points, was the heart of the team's attack. Her teammate Namale did the dirty-work of cleaning up at the boards as she finished with 11 first half rebounds.

Shooting guard Rasolofoson's, kept Madagascar in the encounter with 10 points and  forward Rakotobe's  nine points kept the team in the encounter.

The East African nation took the game to the home side and by the end of the quarter finished in the ascendancy 16-12 . 

The two teams battled each other like heavy weight boxers in the second quarter, with  Madagascar staging fight back. Rasolofoson, who looked comfortable on the ball all game landed a three pointer to put them within one point (20-21) and a free throw made by Justine Rahariarivony levelled the scores.

Uganda's Letaru was a constant threat and landed a three pointer from a Sharifa Nalwadda assist. A three point play by Darlene Tashobya stretched the lead further (27-21) for Uganda, who went up 29-23 in the first half. 

The second half had a similar theme as the first, with Madagascar attempting to stage a dramatic comeback, especially in the third quarter. Rosolofoson, who was a live-wire scored six  points to make it a one point game (30-29), but Uganda still had the lead.  

A Joanie Rakotononohary's  three-pointer temporarily gave the Malagasy a short lived lead (34-32), but a single free throw and a three pointer from Nalwadda stretched the lead (54-46) for Uganda.

The final quarter Uganda outlasted Madagascar as both teams threw everything they had it each other, but in the end it would was the East Africans would triumph.

Uganda coach Zumrati Ali Mavita explained that immediately when they arrived in Antsirabe, she and her staff ensured the players got their necessary rest.

"Yesterday (Friday) we arrived really late and we made sure the players got as much rest as possible. They put their feet up, put the phones away and that they get as much as sleep as they can, so that could be ready for today," said Mavita, who reflected on the game. "I told the players, this was going to be one of the biggest games in the tournaments and to expect a big crowd. They kept their eyes on the opposition and not on the crowd. They stuck together and that's how we got the win."

ANGOLA BEAT TANZANIA

In the night's final game, Angola made things difficult for themselves in their Group B opener against Tanzania. 

On their way to a 77-39 victory, the Angolans were met with some stern resistance from the a tough Tanzanian team in the first half.

The more fancied Southern Africans  were down 9-8 in the first quarter and were made to work hard for their 28-19 lead in the second.

In the second half the Angolans regrouped and gave a more polished performance. In the end a double-double (16 points and 11 rebounds) from Isabel Joao, 17 points from Angelina Joao and 14 points from Arminda Sindalawa got the job done for Angola.

Team coach Elisa Pires reminded her players that Tanzania also came to compete.

"I told my players they needed respect Tanzania and focus on the game because they could surprise us. We played minute by minute and did not give up and we had to keep encouraging each all the time," said Pires.

FIBA