MOÇÂMEDES (Angola) - For Cape Verde, facing the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second round of the 2025 AfroBasket meant much more than trying to win a basketball game; it meant providing some comfort to families who lost loved ones in a deadly storm that hit the island.
At least nine people lost their lives when the natural disaster struck São Vicente and Santo Antão islands.
Minutes before kickoff, both teams stood together for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the deadly floods.
DR Congo started strong, enjoying a 16-point lead and seeming to be in control.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde saved their best effort for last.
Jordan Sacko led DR Congo with 17 points and was their go-to player for most of the game.
However, Cape Verde took advantage of Edy Tavares's intimidating presence in the paint to stage a historic comeback.
Christian Lutete and Garmine Kande Kieli added 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Congolese, but it was the islanders who celebrated in the end.
TURNING POINT: No team in the 2025 AfroBasket had ever rallied from a 16-point deficit to flip the game in their favor and lead by as many as 12 points.
However, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde were determined to rewrite the game's narrative.
Trailing 34-25 at halftime, Cape Verde's halftime adjustments proved to be game-changing. They returned to the second half with a sense of urgency that DR Congo struggled to deal with.
Cape Verde outscored their opponents 30–16 in the third quarter, and despite DR Congo's efforts to make a comeback, they never led again.
HERO: Cape Verde's team effort was crucial, and Edy and Will Tavares' performances deserve recognition.
Edy Tavares tied an AfroBasket record with 19 rebounds in a game and also scored 14 points, had two steals, and blocked two shots.
Meanwhile, Will Tavares dismantled the DR Congo's defense with 4-for-6 shooting from deep, finishing with a team-high 17 points.
STATS DON'T LIE: Right after the game, DR coach Michel Perrin admitted that Cape Verde won with their three-point prowess.
The Cape Verdeans shot 12-for-31 from behind the arc, won the rebounding battle 53-42, and emerged victorious in a battle between two Group A title contenders.
DR Congo shot 4-for-22 from the three-point line, which was not good enough to match Cape Verde's scoring spree.
BOTTOM LINE: Cape Verde once again demonstrated their tenacity in the face of adversity.
Backed by a large contingent of local and Cape Verdean supporters, Emanuel Trovoada's squad kicked off the 2025 AfroBasket tournament by showcasing their top-tier talent.
Edy Tavares was instrumental on both ends of the floor, but it was ultimately a team effort.
WHAT THEY SAID: "They made big shots in transition, but we didn't. They went on a run in the third quarter, and we went on a run in the first half. They took control of the game. They played well. I can't really say too much." - DR Congo guard Christian Lutete.
"Shout-out to Congo! They're a tough, scrappy team. We were a little more motivated by what's going on in Cape Verde with the storms, and how families are suffering. We dedicated this game to them. AfroBasket is about which team can stick together the longest and come out on top." - Cape Verde guard, William Tavares.
FIBA