ANG/CAM - Angola clinch Olympic ticket

LUANDA (FIBA Africa Championship) - Angola won a ninth FIBA Africa Championship to earn a place at the Beijing Olympics with an 86-72 triumph over Cameroon in the final at Cidadela Desportiva Arena.

Forward Eduardo Mingas led the way for the hosts, pouring in 18 points and grabbing four rebounds to lead his side to the gold medal.

Angola finished the 24th FIBA Africa Championship with an unbeaten 6-0 record, inflicting Cameroon's first defeat of the competition to leave them with a 5-1 record.

With a double-double Cameroon's Brice Vounang poured in 18 points and grabbed 10 points.

The 6ft 8in power-forward was supported by Patric Bouli and Gaston Essengue, who contributed with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

It was an even contest which saw both teams tied at 10 points all at the end of first period, but Cameroon surprised the partisan crowd by taking a 33-31 at the half-time interval, a scoreline rarely seen at the FIBA Africa Championship, in which Angola have cruised to the final against low-ranked opponents.

Angola fought off a young and ambitious Cameroon team by launching their most lethal weapon, the three-pointer.

Angola established a 20-point gap at one stage with veteran Victor Carvalho coming off the bench to hit two three-pointers out of four attempts and Mingas contributing with two out of three from the outside.

That was the solution for the hosts who were unable to stop the Cameroonian towers who dominated the rebounds battle with a clear difference 20-34, limiting Angola to just three offensive rebounds.

Angola's Joaquim Gomes who poured in 13 points and grabbed five rebounds was elected Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA