KIGALI (Rwanda) – After nine days of competition, Morocco and Guinea finally secured their first victories in Kigali.
Both teams, who were playing in the classification games, achieved valuable wins that keep them in contention for a top 10 finish at the 2025 FIBA U16 AfroBasket tournament.
While Guinea enjoyed a comfortable victory over Sierra Leone, Morocco had to work much harder to overcome a determined Liberia.
Guinea, the defending champions, won 66–36, while Morocco narrowly beat Liberia 80–79 in a nail-biting contest.
Here’s how the day unfolded.
Morocco get their payback against Liberia
Having finished bottom of Group C with a 0–3 record, Morocco defeated Liberia 80–79.
This victory came just 24 hours after they lost 74-69 to the same opponents in the group stage.
This victory enhanced their chances of fighting for 9th place in the tournament.
They will now face the defending champions, Guinea.
Morocco made their intentions clear from the outset, taking an early lead to finish the opening quarter 20-17.
However, Liberia, boosted by their previous day's win against Morocco, responded well and entered halftime ahead by a single point (41–40).
The intensity never dropped, with just three points separating the teams at the end of the third quarter, with Liberia in the lead at 62–59.
It all came down to the final minutes. Led by captain Mehdi Berrada, who scored 21 points, Morocco fought back to take the lead. The closing seconds were tense, but Morocco held on to secure an 80–79 victory.
Nahel Adade Adekambi added 18 points, including three free throws, while Nael Niniss delivered a strong double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds. Sofiane Ben Rezouk contributed 11 points and 6 assists.
“This is not the result we had hoped for. But a win is always good to take,” said Moroccan head coach Reda Rhalimi.
The team learned from their loss the day before and bounced back. 'We made the necessary adjustments and shut down their key players.'
While acknowledging the mixed results of their campaign, Rhalimi emphasised the value of the experience. ‘We have qualified for the U18s. Some of these players will be part of that group.”
Guinea taste victory in Kigali
Having been eliminated in the group phase, the reigning champions, Guinea, showed no mercy in their classification match against Sierra Leone.
A strong opening and effective management of the second quarter put Guinea in control, paving the way for a 66–36 victory and a chance to compete against Morocco for ninth place in the final standings.
At halftime, Guinea were up by 11 points (32-21). They then held Sierra Leone to just 8 points in the third period (22-8), extending their advantage to 25 points (54-29).
Sierra Leone fought back in the fourth quarter but the gap was simply too wide. A final 12-7 run sealed a comfortable 30-point win for Guinea.
Looking back on his team’s run in Kigali, head coach Souleymane Kasse admitted to mixed feelings. “We have to face reality. Judging from the games we played here, we are in the place we deserve.”
Mohamed Lamine Diaby powered Guinea with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Misbao Léon Diawara contributed 12 points.
Aboubacar Kourouma also made his mark with 12 rebounds and 6 points, and Ousmane Traoré added 10 rebounds and 8 points.
FIBA