DOUALA (Cameroon) - The famous saying, "It's not how you start, but how you finish that matters," could not be more fitting for Gabon's tenacious performance on the opening day of the 2027 FIBA AfroCan Qualifiers on Saturday.
Playing against the hosts, Cameroon, in Douala, Gabon trailed for most of the first half.
However, a halftime talk and their determination to secure the sole ticket for the Final Round from FIBA Africa Zone 4 proved vital in their 83-80 win.
Cameroon entered the contest determined to protect their home court but struggled to respond to Gabon's rally in the second half.
Everything went wrong for Cameroon in the second half. They missed easy layups, turned the ball over 23 times, which resulted in Gabon's 18 points, and struggled to contain Gabon's fast-break plays.
Cameroon had a lead of eleven points at halftime (42-31).
Gabon shot 1-for-11 from deep in the opening half, but made four of their five three-pointers in the third quarter, after which the game was never the same for Cameroon again.
Gabon's 20-year-old Elysee Makambo came off the bench and changed the course of the game with his precise shooting.
He shot 4-for-8 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from deep, and inspired Gabon with his 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Joining Makambo in the game-changer category was his teammate, Hermann Boukousso, who finished with a team-high 19 points.
Gabon's bench proved crucial, contributing 52 of their 83 points.
Yann Fondong's game-high 25 points were not enough for Cameroon, who will enjoy a 24-hour break before taking on the Republic of the Congo on Monday, October 12, the final day of the three-team tournament.
FIBA