Eighth Final Round: Nigeria 74 - Mali 70

BENGHAZI (Afrobasket 2009) - Nigeria joined Angola to remain the two teams that are yet to taste defeat in the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship for Men with a 74-70 hard earned victory over Mali Monday.

The Game Muoneke captain side won the first quarter by 20-16 points but gave up the lead in the second quarter allowing Mali to pick the quarter 20-12 points to go into the break with a five points advantage of 36-32 points.

The Malian continue the onslaught in the third quarter winning again by 20-19 points to go into the last quarter with great confidence of ending the invisibility of the Nigerian but it was the Nigerian powered on by captain Muoneke, Michael Efevberha and Ebi Ere with Ejike Ugboaja and Akinlolu Akingbala providing cover in the paint that carried the day winning the last quarter by 19-14 points for a cumulative score-line of 74-70 points.

Chamberlain Oguchi led Nigeria in scoring with 13 points, Ebi Ere provided 12 points and Joshua Akognon added 10 points while Ejike Ugboaja grabbed 9 rebounds.

Mali captain Amara Sy scored 18 points and 8 rebounds while the duo of Wali Coulibaly and Nouha Diakite added 17 and 10 points respectively.

Nigeria battle defending champion, Angola Tuesday in the big game of the day while will have the Libya crowd to contend with when they file out against the host, Libya who is seeking an outright win to remain in contention.

FIBA Africa