DAKAR (Senegal) - On the opening day of Group F of the 2027 African Qualifiers, Angola showcased their defensive prowess, sinking the DR Congo in the process.
The reigning African champions started strong, forcing the Congolese to turn the ball over a record 22 times and securing a 100-68 victory.
Eleven Angolan players had at least one steal, with Cleusio Castro leading the way with five.
With 22 steals, Angola broke their own African Qualifiers record set in the first round of the tournament when they finished with 21 steals in a 90–68 victory over Uganda.
"Defense won us the game," said Childe Dundao, the Angolan ace who holds the African Qualifiers record with eight.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers steals record belongs to Australia, which finished with 23 in a 2019 Oceania-Asia clash against Kazakhstan.
With the win, Angola improved to 5-2 while the DR Congo dropped to 2-5.
FIBA