Cape Verde tightened their grip on Group A with a high-tempo, offensively balanced win over Libya in Radès, using superior ball movement, transition pressure, and late-game composure to claim their second victory of the Qualifiers.
Last Updated on
December 2, 2025
Cape Verde walked into Radès with the quiet confidence of a team that has tasted the World Cup and refuses to let that memory fade. Their mission in this first window was clear: set a tone, impose their rhythm, and show that back-to-back qualifications aren’t a dream but an attainable target. Against Libya, they found resistance and a comeback push they couldn’t fully control, but they also found enough composure to stay ahead, winning 85–74 to move to 2–1 in Group A.
The opening period revealed the gap between the two teams. Cape Verde came out firing, running the lanes, attacking early, and forcing turnovers that set the tempo immediately.
They dropped 28 points in the first quarter alone while holding Libya to 16, a reminder of how quickly they can build momentum when the ball zips from one side of the floor to the other. Their 26 assists on the night told the full story of their collective intent: no rush, no panic, always the extra pass.
Libya, however, refused to fold. They tightened their defence in the second quarter, slowing the ball, cutting the pace, and forcing Cape Verde into tougher looks. The 14–12 period reflected the adjustment, but it didn't erase the early damage. At halftime, Cape Verde still stood on solid ground, and their efficiency inside the arc, a sharp 54.6% on two-point attempts, kept them in control even when the game turned messy.
The real test came after the break. Libya surged in the third quarter, outscoring Cape Verde 20–15 through a mixture of power finishes, improved spacing, and, above all, the relentless will of their front-line performers. Ghayth Alrahman Almaghribi was immense, delivering a towering 20-point, 14-rebound performance that anchored Libya's fightback.
His presence on both ends kept Libya believing, and when Adrees Zeew joined the charge with 19 points of his own, momentum briefly shifted. As a result, Libya were no longer able to absorb their punches as the game's momentum swung back.
Cape Verde needed composure, and it came from familiar hands. Joel Almeida steadied the ship, finishing with 16 points despite a difficult shooting night from the field. His experience showed most at the free-throw line, where he hit six of seven attempts, each one a small breath of relief for his teammates.
His brother, Ivan Almeida, added 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists in one of those quietly influential performances where timing and leadership matter more than volume. The two combined to stretch Libya's defence just enough to keep the offence flowing.
They were not alone. Anderson Correia provided 15 points in under 24 minutes, attacking seams and punishing mistakes in transition. Patrick Lima’s efficiency, 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, gave the team balance. At the same time, Kenneti Mendes chipped in 11, including five made free throws that helped Cape Verde maintain control during Libya’s most dangerous spells. Their bench, energetic and opportunistic, poured in 39 points, significantly outpacing Libya’s 24. That depth proved decisive, especially in the final quarter.
With 10 minutes left, Libya were within striking distance, but Cape Verde’s acceleration returned right on cue. Their 28-point fourth quarter was a burst of speed and aggression that Libya could not contain. Fifteen steals created runouts, and 29 fast-break points painted the defining contrast: one team had gears the other could not match.
Libya still found bright spots. Wajdi Dawo contributed 10 points in 22 minutes and fought his way to the line eight times. The team showed heart and structure, winning the third quarter and challenging Cape Verde’s discipline. But the early deficit and the inability to match Cape Verde’s collective sharpness eventually weighed them down.
For Cape Verde, it was not perfect, but it was convincing. A 2–1 record, rising chemistry, and the unmistakable signs of a team intent on returning to the world stage.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
