Angola Stuns Reigning Champions Mali: A Remarkable Turnaround

Stunning the current champions is no small achievement, but Angola, defeated on Day 1 by Egypt, exhibited much more ambition than in the previous encounter, triumphing over the champions with a final score of 61-57.

Mali, accustomed to dominance, showed a completely different face on this fateful day.

"We came to the court thinking it was already done and dusted. And we did not honestly think that Angola would show such resistance," admits Moussa Cisse, Mali's head coach, who still seemed to be processing the unexpected turn of events.

For Angola, the hero of the day was none other than Bencao Vungo. With 13 points to his credit, he delivered the decisive blows to a Malian team struggling to maintain parity in the game.

"After losing to Egypt, we decided it was a thing of the past and focused on what was coming next. So, we approached the game, concentrating on the right things to do," adds Vungo.

Indeed, they had carefully observed Mali during their previous game and capitalised on their weaknesses. "We neutralised their centres and prevented them from being fed by the guards," continues the player.

Mali faltered, bit by bit, minute after minute. Although they attempted a comeback, forcing overtime, their efforts fell short. "When we knew we had it at hand, we threw everything into the battle to win."

The young Angolan players, showcased their determination and tactical brilliance, proving that surprises can indeed be full of promise. As the FIBA U18 African Championship unfolds, Angola's unexpected triumph sets the stage for a compelling and unpredictable tournament.

[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA]