Côte d'Ivoire dominated Madagascar 106-73 in the 2025 FIBA Men's AfroBasket Qualifiers, showcasing their elite status. However, a lack of second-half intensity raised concerns ahead of tougher matchups. Can the Elephants maintain their edge against stronger opponents?
Last Updated on
February 22, 2025
Côte d'Ivoire asserted their dominance in the 2025 FIBA Men’s AfroBasket Qualifiers with a commanding 106-73 victory over Madagascar at the Palais des Sports Mahamasina, the spiritual in-door sports home of the beautiful African island nation. As one of Africa's premier basketball nations and a qualification favorite, Côte d'Ivoire wasted no time showcasing their superiority. However, their second-half performance left some questions, as they allowed Madagascar to gain confidence in front of their home fans.
The Elephants came out firing, setting the tone with a suffocating first-quarter display that saw them outscore Madagascar 26-9. The hosts struggled to generate quality looks, and Côte d'Ivoire's defensive intensity ensured they had little breathing room. The second quarter brought more of the same, as Côte d'Ivoire's clinical offense and ball movement overwhelmed Madagascar. The Ivorians dropped 31 points in the period while holding Madagascar to just 15. By halftime, the game was all but decided, with Côte d'Ivoire leading 57-24.
At this point, one might have expected Côte d'Ivoire to maintain their ruthless approach, keeping their foot on the gas to send a message to their future opponents. Instead, the second half saw them ease off, allowing Madagascar to find their rhythm. While the outcome was never in doubt, Madagascar matched Côte d'Ivoire's scoring in the third (18-18) and fourth quarters (31-31). This shift in intensity is something Côte d'Ivoire cannot afford in their upcoming matchups, particularly against the Central African Republic and Egypt, both of whom are capable of punishing such lapses.
Despite their second-half drop-off, Côte d'Ivoire's overall performance was impressive. Their three-point shooting was a key factor in their offensive explosion, as they converted an efficient 37.8% from beyond the arc.
The team's ability to stretch the floor makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament, and their balance inside and outside kept Madagascar's defense scrambling. Côte d'Ivoire also dominated the glass, securing 56 rebounds compared to Madagascar's 37, leading to 16 second-chance points. Their aggressive defense forced turnovers, translating into 23 points off turnovers and an impressive 29 fast-break points.
EuroLeague star Matt Costello led the charge for Côte d'Ivoire, putting up 20 points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in a well-rounded performance. Lionel Kouadio provided crucial support with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, further solidifying Côte d'Ivoire's depth.
While Madagascar was outmatched for much of the contest, they showed heart, particularly in the second half. Their resilience allowed them to keep pace with Côte d'Ivoire after halftime, a testament to their growing potential. Spain-based Mathias M'Madi was a bright spot for the hosts, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Madagascar's bench also played a significant role, contributing 58 points—outscoring Côte d'Ivoire's bench, which managed 45 points.
However, Madagascar's struggles from beyond the arc were glaring. Shooting just 20.7% from three-point range, they lacked the perimeter firepower needed to challenge Côte d'Ivoire's defense. Against a team like Egypt, which will punish inefficiency, Madagascar must improve its outside shooting if it hopes to remain competitive. Their free-throw struggles (55%) were another issue, leaving too many points at the line in a game where every opportunity counted.
Looking ahead, Côte d'Ivoire will need to clean up their second-half complacency. While they were in full control against Madagascar, allowing a lesser opponent to match their scoring for two consecutive quarters is not a good habit. Against stronger competition, such lapses could prove costly. Their upcoming matches will demand a full 40-minute effort if they want to maintain their status as one of Africa's most feared teams.
Madagascar's next game against Egypt is a must-win, and their second-half effort against Côte d'Ivoire gives them something to build on. The home crowd will be behind them, but they must improve their efficiency from deep and maintain their defensive intensity to stand a chance against the North African giants.
Côte d'Ivoire did what was expected, but they must be wary of any signs of complacency. Meanwhile, Madagascar will take pride in their fightback, but they now face a true test of character against an Egyptian side eager to make a statement.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
