Cameroon Breaks Angola’s Spirit with a 21-Point Rout

Cameroon Breaks Angola’s Spirit with a 21-Point Rout

Cameroon stepped onto the court Tuesday with urgency, aggression, and purpose — and left with a historic 85–64 dismantling of Angola, a team that once dominated women’s basketball in Africa. For Cameroon, it was more than just their first win over Angola in AfroBasket history. It was proof that the balance of power on the continent is shifting.

For Angola, the loss was both physical and symbolic. It marks the second consecutive AfroBasket tournament in which the once-mighty team has failed to reach the quarterfinals. And the gap isn’t closing.

From tip-off, Cameroon played like a team with something to prove. Their defense was sharp, their transition game explosive, and their shot selection crisp. After a brief back-and-forth opening, the Indomitable Lionesses flipped a switch. A quick 8–0 run turned a 9–7 game into a 16–7 lead, and they never looked back.

By the end of the first quarter, Cameroon had built a double-digit lead. And their energy was never matched.

Angola entered the tournament with modest expectations, but few anticipated the complete unraveling on display. In a game where they needed their veterans to step up, it was the bench that once again did most of the scoring.

A key turning point came in the second quarter, when Avelina Peso — one of Angola’s top defenders —picked up her third foul with seven minutes left in the half. Cameroon led 30–20 at the time. Peso was subbed out to preserve her for the second half, but the damage was done.

Without Peso’s presence in the paint, Cameroon’s forwards — especially Dulcy Fankam and Marguerite Effa — began to dominate inside and turned missed shots into offensive rebounds and second chances. Angola looked out-muscled, out-hustled, and out-coached.

If there was a single player who symbolized Cameroon’s resurgence, it was Jessica Thomas. The point guard put on a clinic — scoring 19 points, handing out five assists, and creating chaos on defense. Her speed and vision picked Angola apart possession by possession.

Thomas’s leadership was matched by Joelly Belleka, who added 13 points and eight assists of her own, and Fankam, who chipped in with 13 hard-earned points in the paint. Cameroon also caught fire from beyond the arc, draining 11 three-pointers on 27 attempts. Angola, by contrast, made just two of their 12 tries.

This tournament marked a new low for Angola — three games, three losses, and no clear path forward. Not long ago, Angola would brush aside teams like Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and Cameroon. In 2025, they lost to all three.

There were moments of fight. Sara Caetano gave everything she had, finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds. Her effort was visible on every possession. But it wasn’t enough.

With that win, Cameroon advance to face Nigeria in the Quarter Finals — a formidable opponent and the reigning champions. But they’ll go into that matchup with momentum and belief.They’re not just happy to be here. They’re excited.

“Since I started atthe AfroBasket, I’ve really wanted to play against Nigeria. So I’m excited”, says Marina Ewodo, once a Women’s AfroBasket All-Star Five.

Angola, meanwhile, returns home with a lot of hard questions and no easy answers. The talent pool remains strong, but the fire that once fueled their dominance seems to be fading. Whether this team can rebuild its culture and climb back to the top is uncertain.

What is certain: the days of taking wins for granted are over. In African women’s basketball, the old order is crumbling — and teams like Cameroon are ready to take their place.
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[Photography: Courtesy of FIBA]