Congo DR stormed back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Mali 65-59, maintaining their perfect 4-0 record in Group A. Rolly Fula’s clutch shooting and Jordan Sakho’s double-double powered the Congolese to AfroBasket 2025 qualification.
Last Updated on
February 22, 2025
Malian forward Ibrahim Djambo, speaking in his post-game interview after his team's 65-59 loss to Congo DR, admitted that the Congolese side edged them out on "small details."
Tactically, there was little separating the two teams. Still, despite Mali's superior bench contribution (21-12), Congo DR delivered a dominant final quarter to secure their fourth consecutive victory and book their place at the 2025 AfroBasket.
Rolly Fula led the Congolese charge, shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and finishing with a team-high 16 points. Jordan Sakho registered a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Michel Perrin's squad remained atop Group A with a flawless 4-0 record.
"We played against a strong Mali team that defended well, dominated the boards, and played with real hunger. After the victory, we had to stay together and dig deep for this win, and we're proud to have gotten it," said Claude Christian Lutete IV.
Mali endured a slow start, falling behind 9-0 in the first half of the opening quarter. However, a tactical adjustment by coach Alhadji Dicko, who introduced the experienced Ibrahim Djambo and Cartier Diarra, helped the West Africans claw their way back, trailing just 19-15 after the first ten minutes.
The second quarter belonged to Mali, as they silenced Congo DR with a commanding 22-7 run, taking an 11-point lead into halftime. A closely contested third quarter (12-11) kept Mali ahead by ten heading into the final period.
Maxi Munanga Shamba sparked Congo DR's comeback, hitting two field goals and assisting Garmine Kande Kieli for a dunk, cutting the deficit to four and forcing Mali into a timeout. Sakho later leveled the score at 52 with 4:28 remaining. Back-to-back three-pointers from Kieli and Lutete IV, followed by another clutch shot from Fula, pushed Congo DR ahead 61-52 with under a minute left, effectively sealing the victory and securing their qualification for the 2025 AfroBasket in Angola.
"They did not run different plays in the final quarter they dominated with one play, using their big men and we were unable to adjust. They used the small details and their experience to beat us," Djambo said adding, "We cannot overthink these games. Everyone is here for victory and qualification and that's what we will chase in the remaining matches."
[Photography of Courtesy FIBA]
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