Players of the day in the opening day of the 2022 U18 Women's African Championship

 

ANTSIRABE (Madagascar) The opening day of the 2022 FIBA U18 African Women's Championship saw  tournament favourites and current champions, Egypt and Mali produce dominant displays against their opponents on Friday.

The victories for Egypt and Mali are clear sign that they mean business and given the pedigree of both teams in the competition it would not surprising to see them compete in this year's final.

Here is a round up of top performers from the opening day of the competition

MAIMOUNA HAIDARA (Mali)

The Spain-based player made light work of the Algerian defence in the paint area as she powered her a way to 27 points, 11 rebounds on the day.

Haidara will be Mali's go-to-player, with 9/13 field-goal she will a constant threat for any opposing team. 

She will be key to helping Mali reclaim the title they lost to Egypt two years ago.

JENA ELALFY (Egypt)

Egyptian power forward Elalfy stamped her authority stamped in the game against Guinea.

She used her height to great effect and notched a double-double (29 points and 10 rebounds).

Like Mali's Haidara, the 16-year-old Al Ahly player did most her damage inside the arc and the Egyptian will rely on her scoring ability if they are to retain their title they won on home soil two-years ago.

BADIARAN DOUMBOUYA (Mali)

The Mali floor general, controlled the tempo for her team in the opener against Algeria.  She played an almost perfect game against the Algerians, with 7/7 field goals made from inside and outside the arc. 

Mali-based Doumbouya is also a solid defender as she stole the ball three-times in their opening Group A game

JANA SALLMAN (Egypt)

Sallman's 12 points and 8 rebounds contributed to the emphatic victory over Guinea.

While frontcourt partner Elfalfy, has more of a presence, Sallman on the other hand quietly grinds. 

She is the defensive anchor for the Egyptian team and it showed with her rebounding (seven defensive rebounds) and her four steals.

FIBA