Cameroon won their semi-final against Morocco 67-47 and qualified for their maiden FIBA U18 AfroBasket final and to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup. Driven by three players who produced double-digit scores and two double doubles, the West African nation can consider their return to the U18 AfroBasket a success.
Last Updated on
September 14, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
In a thrilling showdown, Cameroon overcame an early scare to claim a hard-fought victory against Morocco, sealing the game with a commanding 67-47 win. What started as a rocky first quarter for the West African nation quickly transformed into a triumph of resilience and team effort, with key players stepping up in critical moments.
Morocco came out strong in the first quarter, outplaying Cameroon and taking an early 19-13 lead. Cameroon struggled to find their footing, as Morocco's defense seemed unbreakable. However, a fiery second quarter saw Cameroon shift the momentum, staging a 19-10 run that propelled them into halftime with a narrow 32-29 lead.
By the third quarter, Cameroon’s advantage had doubled, though Morocco kept the contest tight. The 16-13 third-quarter battle ended with Cameroon holding a slim 48-46 lead. However, it was in the final stanza that Morocco's collapse became apparent. While Cameroon stayed steady, scoring 19 points, Morocco faltered and could only manage five points, securing Cameroon’s definitive victory.
Amadou Seini emerged as the standout performer for Cameroon, registering an impressive double-double. Seini dominated the court with 15 points and 19 rebounds, 11 of which came from the defensive end. His efforts were instrumental in controlling Morocco’s offense and limiting their second-chance opportunities.
Seini’s contributions were complemented by Hermann Bel, who delivered an equally vital performance. Bel not only tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds but also dished out three assists. His game-defining moment came in the third quarter when he rose above with a thunderous dunk that turned the game’s momentum decisively in Cameroon’s favor. The dunk energized the team and boosted morale, ensuring that Cameroon never relinquished control of the game.
Freddy Tchakounte also contributed to Cameroon’s success, finishing with 13 points and two rebounds, providing crucial support to the team’s offensive push. On the other side, Morocco’s Rayane Solhi and Omar Karem fought valiantly, with Solhi contributing 18 points and five rebounds, and Karem adding 11 points and three rebounds. However, their efforts were not enough to prevent Morocco from crumbling in the final quarter.
Statistically, Cameroon had the upper hand in several key areas. The team dominated second-chance points, scoring 24 compared to Morocco’s 12.Cameroon also excelled in the paint, outscoring Morocco 42-16, and their bench outperformed Morocco’s, contributing 12 points to their opponent’s six.
After the game, Hermann Bel shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and future aspirations.
“When I slammed that dunk, I felt confident in myself and in my teammates,” Bel said. “For the time being, we’re going to work on our weaknesses and focus on our strengths to beat whatever team is coming our way. For that, we need the fans, we need their support to bring that trophy back home. As at now, I’m not yet happy. No one on the team is. Because we’re here to win that title and we’ll be happy only when we do.”
With this win, Cameroon inch closer to their ultimate goal, but as Bel made clear, the team will only be satisfied when they claim the title.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
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