Dieng, Senegal prove too much for grieving Mozambique team

RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Gorgui Dieng had another dominant performance on Saturday as Senegal defeated Mozambique 86-76.

It was Senegal's second victory in as many games and Dieng came up with game-highs of 28 points and 7 assists as well as a tournament-best 18 rebounds.

Despite Pio Matos' outstanding performance, the Southern Africans conceded their second defeat in Group B.

Matos, the MVP in Mozambique's top flight league, finished with 18 points and a team-high 5 assists while his twin brother Augusto Matos added 17 points in the losing cause.

The Mozambicans played their first game since the passing of Joao Chirindza, the team's coordinator, on Friday in Tunisia. 

Chrindza was a former Mozambique international.

"We wanted to win the game in honour of the Chirindza family," team captain Custodio Muchate said. "Senegal is one of the best teams in Africa and we did everything we could.”

Turning Point: Senegal never trailed and led by as many as 18 points.

Stats Don't Lie: Senegal out-rebounded Mozambique 45-26.

Game Hero: Dieng ignited Senegal for most of the contest.

The Bottom Line: It is undeniable that Dieng runs the team at both ends of the court. It remains to be seen how that works for the remainder of the tournament. Senegal, clearly the more athletic team, at times struggled to cope with Mozambique's quickness in drives to the basket, but they dominated the painted area. 

However, Mozambique showed an impressive competitiveness despite the circumstances affecting the team.

Francisco Mabjaia, the President of the Mozambique Basketball Federation, sat down with FIBA.com to pay tribute to Chirindza.

"Obivously It was devastating news for the team," he said.

"If we were allowed to withdraw from the tournament at this stage we would have done so. But we can't do it here at AfroBasket.

"We are going to be inspired by Joao and continue to fight in the competition.

"He was a big reference in our national team and represented our country many times.

"He was widely known and respected on the continent of Africa."

FIBA