Angola Stuns Cameroon to Reach First AfroBasket Final in a Decade

When the final buzzer sounded inside a packed arena in Luanda, the Angolan crowd erupted in relief and joy. Their national team, trailing for much of the game, clawed its way back to defeat Cameroon 74–73 in a nail-biting semifinal clash on Saturday night. With the win, Angola advances to the FIBA AfroBasket Final for the first time since 2015, extending their unbeaten run in this year’s tournament to five straight victories.

The win was as dramatic as it was symbolic. For nearly three quarters, Cameroon looked set to reach their first AfroBasket Final since 2007. They dictated the tempo, controlled the glass, and found ways to frustrate Angola’s offense. Yet, when it mattered most, Angola’s resilience and defensive adjustments swung the game in their favor.

Cameroon entered the contest confident, having dropped just one of their previous five games in the tournament. Their physical presence in the paint, led by center Yves Missi, gave them an edge. Missi turned in an incredible performance with seven blocked shots. His rim protection denied Angola easy baskets and forced them to settle for contested jumpers early on.

But while Missi was dominant defensively, his costly turnover in the closing minutes shifted momentum. With just over a minute left and Cameroon up 71–69, Aboubacar Gakou poked the ball away from Williams Narace and quickly dished it to Childe Dundao, who was wide open beyond the arc. Dundao calmly drained the three-pointer, handing Angola their first lead since the opening half.

Moments later, Selton Miguel, who led all scorers with 17 points off the bench, converted a free throw to push Angola ahead 73–71. Missi momentarily redeemed himself by sinking two clutch free throws to tie the game at 73–73. Yet it was Gakou again who iced the game, hitting one of his three free throws to secure the final scoreline.

The defining story of Angola’s win was their bench production. Angola’s reserves outscored Cameroon’s 34–21, a decisive factor in such a tight contest. Miguel’s offensive spark kept Angola alive during stretches when their starters struggled. Childe Dundao and Bruno Fernando—both former U18 AfroBasket champions—combined for 26 points and made key plays on both ends of the floor.

“Our tenacity and team effort made the difference,” Angola’s coach Jose Claros Canals said post-game. “We weren’t playing our best basketball, but we adjusted, we forced turnovers, and the players never stopped believing.”

Indeed, belief was central to Angola’s comeback. They forced Cameroon into five turnovers in the fourth quarter alone, capitalizing on nearly every mistake. The pressure mounted on Cameroon’s ball handlers, and Angola smelled blood when the crowd roared them back into the game.

For Cameroon, the loss was heartbreaking. After dictating the game for so long, they allowed Angola back into it by failing to protect possessions in the final minutes. Guard Samir Gbetkom provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, but the team’s late-game execution crumbled.

Cameroon’s coaching staff will take solace in their competitiveness. This was only their second defeat in six games, and their effort proved they belong among Africa’s elite. Still, the inability to finish the job will sting, especially given the historic night from Missi.

Over the years, Angola vs. Cameroon has grown into one of African basketball’s fiercest rivalries. Saturday’s duel only added to the lore. Of their last five AfroBasket meetings, four have been decided by fewer than 10 points. The 2025 semifinal will be remembered as one of the closest yet, with the game’s fate undecided until the very last free throw.

Cameroon will now face Senegal in Sunday’s third-place playoff, while Angola prepares to battle Mali for the continental crown.

For Angola, this victory was more than just a ticket to the final. It was a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and a reminder of why they remain a powerhouse in African basketball. Selton Miguel, the game’s hero, summed it up best:

“I feel blessed. There have been ups and downs and back-to-back games, but our team is full of competitors. On any night, anyone can step up. Tonight it was my night. We’re at home, and we have to do it for the people—it’s not about us, it’s for them.”

With the final against Mali looming, Angola has momentum, belief, and history on their side. If Saturday’s drama was any indication, the AfroBasket title game promises another unforgettable chapter.

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