LBA – Cape Verde heartbreak leaves islanders in Classification Round
TRIPOLI (2009 Afrobasket) - Cape Verde were the darlings of Africa two years ago when they claimed an unexpected bronze-medal at the Afrobasket in Angola. The team failed to clear the first hurdle at this year's event in Libya, however, with an 86-83 defeat to Morocco in their last Group D game relegating them to the Classification ...
TRIPOLI (2009 Afrobasket) - Cape Verde were the darlings of Africa two years ago when they claimed an unexpected bronze-medal at the Afrobasket in Angola.
The team failed to clear the first hurdle at this year's event in Libya, however, with an 86-83 defeat to Morocco in their last Group D game relegating them to the Classification Round.
The top three sides at the Afrobasket will earn trips to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and Cape Verde will now need a wild card if they are to advance.
After opening with a 71-52 drubbing of Tunisia, the islanders slumped to 77-67 and 86-83 defeats to Rwanda and Morocco, respectively.
The side's hopes of advancing to the Eight Final Round died when Pedro Cipriano missed from three-point range at the death against Morocco (2-1), who instead advanced to the next stage.
Tunisia finished top of Group D at 2-1 by virtue of their 98-79 triumph over Morocco.
In Group A, Nigeria finished a perfect 3-0 under new coach John Lucas.
They thrashed the Ivory Coast, South Africa and hosts Libya.
Defending champions Angola brushed aside Mali, Egypt and Mozambique to top Group B with a perfect 3-0 mark.
Senegal rode the back of their 2005 Afrobasket MVP Boniface Ndong to a perfect 3-0 start in Group C.
The Senegalese prevailed over the People's Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and then clinched first place by edging the silver medalists of two years ago, Cameroon, 67-65.
In the crunch game against Cameroon, Unicaja Malaga star Ndong scored 17 points and hauled in eight rebounds.
Senegal also got a huge performance from their NBA center De Sagana Diop.
The seven-footer had a game-high 15 rebounds to go with his eight points.
The Eight Final Round gets underway on Sunday.
In Group E, Mali go up against the Ivory Coast, Angola take on Libya and Egypt face Nigeria.
Those games will be played in Benghazi, where Groups A and B were played.
In Group F, Morocco square off against Cameroon, Rwanda meet Senegal and Tunisia take on the Central African Republic.
Those clashes will be staged in Tripoli.
FIBA