Cameroon overwhelmed Côte d’Ivoire 83-68 with dominant shooting and lockdown defence in their classification showdown. Jessica Thomas led a fierce Lionesses response, outscoring the hosts 32-11 in Q2 to secure a statement win and a shot at fifth-place.
Last Updated on
August 2, 2025
From the opening tip at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, the Cameroonians seized control. They never looked back, delivering a performance that was as ruthless as it was brilliant, capping the contest with a well-earned 83-68 win.
It was clear from the outset: Cameroon came not just to play, but to dominate. The first quarter erupted with a bang as Joelly Belleka sank a confident three-pointer to open the scoring. The 30-year-old guard was on fire, drilling two more from deep to tally nine first-quarter points. Forward Dulcy Fankam added six more as Cameroon surged ahead to a 23-14 lead.
Côte d’Ivoire, overwhelmed by the pace, pressure, and precision, never found their footing.
The second quarter saw the host nation unravel. Outscored 32-11, the Ivorians had no answer for Cameroon’s offensive storm. Guards Jessica Thomas and Marina Ewodo stole the show, raining down threes in rapid succession. Thomas hit four long-range bombs, while Ewodo knocked in two of her own, as the Lionesses stretched their lead to a staggering 30 points before halftime. Cameroon’s intensity, teamwork, and court awareness were simply on another level.
Though the home crowd tried to lift the Elephants, the energy in the arena began to fade — much like Côte d’Ivoire’s chances. Their offensive rhythm was shaky, their defense a step too slow, and fatigue was showing.
To their credit, the hosts showed heart in the second half. Pushed by their fans, Côte d’Ivoire edged the third quarter 18-15 and mounted a late surge with a 25-13 run in the fourth. But by then, the damage was irreversible. Cameroon had already secured the win and made their statement.
Jessica Thomas led the charge with an MVP-worthy performance, pouring in 24 points. Dulcy Fankam (12 points, 10 rebounds), Joelly Belleka (18 points), and Marina Ewodo (11 points) also hit double figures in a balanced and ruthless offensive effort.
Cameroon didn’t just protect their lead — they dictated every rhythm, forced turnovers, and exploited every Ivorian weakness. The Lionesses were simply unstoppable.
After the game, Thomas reflected on her team's bounce-back after a tough loss to Nigeria:
“There was great confidence within the team, and I was fortunate the shots were falling. I just wish it had come earlier — especially against Nigeria. But what mattered most was our reaction. Getting knocked down yesterday and coming back like this showed our character.”
For Côte d’Ivoire, Molly Kaiser admitted her team failed to respond in time:
“Cameroon came out from the jump with energy and urgency. They set the tone, and we didn’t respond quickly enough. We’ve got one more game against Uganda, and we’re focused on finishing strong.”
Cameroon now prepares to face Mozambique in the battle for 5th place on Saturday, while hosts Côte d’Ivoire will look to end on a high note against Uganda.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
