Egypt edged the Central African Republic 75-71 in a hard-fought AfroBasket Qualifiers clash in Madagascar. Despite shooting struggles, Egypt’s dominance in the paint and a strong third-quarter surge proved decisive in securing the four-point victory.
Last Updated on
February 22, 2025
In a tightly contested battle at the Palais des Sports Mahamasina in Madagascar, Egypt overcame a sluggish start and shooting struggles to claim a 75-71 victory over the Central African Republic (CAF) in the 2025 FIBA Men’s AfroBasket Qualifiers. Despite struggling from the free-throw line and beyond the arc, Egypt’s dominance in the paint and a decisive third-quarter performance proved enough to secure the four-point win.
The game began with CAF showing impressive energy and efficiency, taking a 20-19 lead after the first quarter. Their ability to crash the boards early gave them second-chance opportunities, as they outworked Egypt on the glass. Egypt’s offense found some early success attacking inside, but their perimeter shooting woes were apparent from the outset.
In the second quarter, CAF maintained its momentum, extending its lead with a strong defensive showing. Holding Egypt to just 17 points in the frame, CAF capitalized on Egypt’s missed shots and continued to control the rebounding battle. By halftime, CAF held a slim 39-36 advantage, having led for the majority of the first half.
However, the game shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Egypt found their rhythm. Their defensive intensity ramped up, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition points. Egypt’s ability to generate offense through fast breaks—outscoring CAF 24-18 in fast-break points—became a key factor in the turnaround. Led by Ehab Amin, who contributed 14 points, three assists, and one steal, Egypt outscored CAF 23-13 in the quarter, flipping a three-point halftime deficit into a commanding 59-52 lead heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, CAF attempted to claw their way back, outscoring Egypt 19-16. They continued to battle on the boards, finishing the game with a significant 47-32 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds. However, their inability to consistently convert those second-chance opportunities and Egypt’s defensive pressure limited their chances of completing the comeback.
Despite their victory, Egypt’s shooting performance left much to be desired. Their 23.5% accuracy from three-point range and a disappointing 41.2% from the free-throw line kept CAF within striking distance throughout the contest. While they excelled in the paint, scoring 42 points inside compared to CAF’s 20, their inefficiency at the line prevented them from fully pulling away.
Defensively, Egypt’s pressure played a crucial role in securing the win. They recorded 10 steals and converted turnovers into 16 points, slightly edging CAF in that category. Their ability to disrupt passing lanes and apply ball pressure helped them build a 17-point lead at one point, the largest of the game.
The bench production was one of the most glaring disparities between the two teams. Egypt’s reserves contributed 42 points, providing much-needed support when the starters struggled. In contrast, CAF’s bench managed just five points, putting significant strain on their starting unit to carry the offensive load. This lack of depth proved costly, particularly in the game's later stages when fatigue became a factor.
The game featured seven lead changes, but Egypt’s control for 20 minutes and 47 seconds of game time ultimately made the difference. CAF, despite leading for over 16 minutes, couldn’t sustain its advantage once Egypt made its second-half adjustments.
CAF's loss will be frustrating, given their superior rebounding numbers and better efficiency from the three-point line (34.4%). However, their struggles inside the arc (39.3% from two-point range) and lack of bench production hindered their chances of securing the upset.
While Egypt's win was hard-earned, they will need to address their shooting inconsistencies moving forward. Their defensive energy and transition play remain strengths but improved free-throw, and three-point efficiency will be crucial as the AfroBasket Qualifiers progress.
With this victory, Egypt continues to solidify its standing in the tournament, while CAF will look to regroup and refine its execution ahead of the next round of fixtures.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
