U16 AfroBasket Men: Seven-man Mali defeat Morocco to Remain Perfect

Seven-man Mali Defeat Morocco to Remain Perfect

Mali, the 2017 FIBA U16 AfroBasket champions, continued their campaign in this year's tournament, picking their second victory in Group C with a dominant 67-54 show against Morocco. 

The reigning bronze medalists are favorites not only for a podium place but also for the title, despite fielding a squad of seven players in their opening two games. The 2017 title remains their only silverware, but the side has been in the top three for seven of the eight editions held so far, missing in 2013. 

A repeat of the 2023 quarterfinals, where the West Africans went through with a 76-74 clutch win, there were scores to settle in this matchup. Mali, however, were ready to prove themselves superior, and they enjoyed the perfect start, racing to an 11-1 lead that allowed them to lead the entire clash for the 13-point victory. 

Four of Mali's players scored in double digits, Bakary Ballo leading the charge with 19 points, three more than Mohamed Keita, who came a rebound short of completing a double-double. Forward N'Dji Ibourahima Coulibaly scored 14, adding eight rebounds. Moustapha Doumbia came off the bench to add 11 points.

Rachid Bouggach's Morocco enjoyed standout performances offensively from Mehdi Berrada, who scored 15 points, adding six assists and Sofiane Ben Bougrine Ben Rezouk, who matched his teammate's points but added two more assists. 

The North Africans were, however, no match for a Mali side that dominated the paint 48-20. It was on fast breaks where Kane's charges flexed their muscle, going 30-2 ahead for the win. 

Keita got action underway for Mali with a steal for a driving layup, Ballo feeding him from another steal for back-to-back baskets as the West Africans went on an 11-1 lead, Luqman Alhakim Kada scoring Morocco's first, and Ben Rezouk making it 11-3 in the opening five minutes. Morocco fought back to see Amir Rezgui's three down the stretch to make it a 16-10 opening quarter. 

Ballo and Keita scored in the first two minutes of the second period to force coach Bouggach into a much-needed timeout as his side trailed by 10 (20-10). Ismael Redouane Gamry brought the difference back to 7 from range, Ben Rezouk and Berrada adding 5 more for 24-18. A 16-10 second quarter had Morocco trailing by 12 heading to the halftime break. 

“We just followed the coach’s instructions and played as a team. That’s why our defence worked so well today,” N’Dji Coulibaly told FIBA.basketball. 

Ballo came off the locker rooms with hot hands, rising for a three. Still, Berrada responded with two soon after for 37-28, Ben Rezouk and Nahel Adade Adekambi contributing one each as Morocco came alive to make it a six-point (40-34) game. 

Mali trailed by 5 (45-40) with 4:20 minutes to play, but a slow finish to the quarter had both sides heading to the final quarter with the scores at 50-43, Morocco having dominated the quarter 23-18. Their momentum was, however, short-lived after Mali went 5-0 in the first three minutes of the last stanza, going on to take the quarter 17-11 for victory. 

The West Africans face their most formidable group phase challenge when they take on rivals, reigning silver medalists, keen to reclaim the title they lost to Guinea in the 2023 edition, Egypt, on Wednesday. 

Morocco, on their part, chase redemption against winless Liberia in the last group match, both sides chasing their first victory in this edition. 

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]