Day One at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 1 Qualifiers in Monastir set a high-stakes tone. Tunisia's women's and Morocco's men's teams made strong statements, aiming to dominate and secure spots in the U18 AfroBasket finals this August.
Last Updated on
July 12, 2024
Day One of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 1 Qualifiers in Monastir was filled with several high-stakes, hard-fought and intense games.
Tunisia's women's and Morocco's men's teams made emphatic statements, asserting themselves as serious contenders in the quest for a coveted spot at the highly anticipated 2024 FIBA U18 AfroBasket championship, scheduled for August in Pretoria, South Africa. Algeria, which represented Zone 1 at the men's 2022 U18 AfroBasket in Madagascar, was expected to deliver a strong performance. However, they fell short of expectations.
Tunisia's women's team demonstrated their capabilities in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 1 Qualifiers. Building on their strong performance at the Tournoi de l'Amitié earlier this year, Tunisia confirmed their ambitions with a commanding victory over Algeria.
The hosts started quietly but soon found their rhythm. Midway through the first quarter, Tunisia led by three points, ending the quarter with a 12-10 advantage. By halftime, they extended their lead to 25-19.
The third quarter was decisive, with Inès Ben Rejeb and her fellow compatriots launching an impressive 20-point run while limiting Algeria to eight points. This dominant display effectively settled the game, and Tunisia continued their momentum in the final quarter, outscoring Algeria 20-7 to secure a 65-34 victory.
Tunisia's win was fueled by capitalizing on Algeria's turnovers, converting them into 22 points compared to Algeria's 8. Additionally, they dominated inside the paint, scoring 40 points to Algeria's 12. With such a comprehensive performance, Tunisia has set a high bar, and Morocco, their next opponent, will need to be wary of these strengths.
In the men's competition, Morocco, returning to the U18 AfroBasket qualifiers after a 16-year hiatus, was eager to make a strong impression on their Zone 1 rivals - and they certainly did so against Algeria.
With Omar Karem leading the way with 21 points and four rebounds, the Moroccan team secured a 77-53 victory by capitalizing on their opponent's weaknesses.
Morocco scored 22 points off turnovers, 26 on fast breaks, and added 17 points from the bench. Their dominance was evident as they only trailed for a brief nine-second span. In contrast, Algeria struggled, hitting just 5 of 26 three-point attempts and converting 19 of their 39 field goals. Additionally, their 31 turnovers severely hindered their performance.
Algeria will face the host nation in a high-stakes game this evening. Following their first game, the Algerians will have several significant adjustments to make in order to grab a win and keep their 2024 AfroBasket hopes alive.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of the Fédération Tunisienne de Basket Ball]
