Mali Crushes Cameroon in Ruthless Points Barrage to Storm into AfroBasket 2025 Quarterfinals

The echoes of revenge filled the air as Cameroon geared up to face Mali in a fiery Group B clash at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. Memories of 2021 still burned—when Mali silenced the home crowd in Yaoundé by ousting the Lionesses in the semifinals. Four years later, Cameroonian fans came hoping for justice.

But Mali had other plans and they were vicious, loud, lethal, and unrelenting.

From the jump ball, the Malians exploded into action. A lightning 6-0 start, powered by Sika Koné, Djeneba Ndiaye, and Aminata Sangaré, sent a clear message: this wasn’t going to be a repeat of 2021—it was going to be a statement, a more gruelling day for the Cameroonians. Joelly Belleka managed to momentarily steady Cameroon with a smooth 2-point jumper, and Carine Silatsa teamed up with Belleka to push back. But Sina Koné had already found her rhythm, dropping six early points to help Mali seize an 18-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a masterclass in dominance. Mali kept their foot firmly on the gas, with Sika Koné nearly locking down a double-double before halftime—ending the half with 8 points and a commanding 10 rebounds.

Cameroon, meanwhile, looked shell-shocked. Only Joelly Belleka and Jessica Thomas showed flashes of fight, scoring 7 points each as a vociferous coach Ahmed Mbombo Njoya kept firing his side for a resurgence. But Mali were ruthless on both ends of the court, winning the rebounding battle 27-15, scoring off turnovers, and racking up 18 points in the paint. Even the Malian bench joined the onslaught, delivering 19 points to maintain the pressure.

By halftime, Mali had built a comfortable 35-20 cushion and showed no signs of letting it slip.

Cameroon’s nightmare continued into the third quarter. Kadidia Maiga picked apart their defense en route to 13 points, while Sika Koné solidified her double-double with 10 points and a monster 15 rebounds. Mali outclassed their opponents in every department, stretching their lead to 51-34 heading into the final frame.

And then came the knockout blow.

Any glimmer of a Cameroonian comeback was brutally extinguished as Mali launched a 10-point scoring spree. It took the Lionesses four agonizing minutes to register a single point in the fourth quarter. By then, the damage was irreparable and Cameroonian fans head in hands understood all hopes had been annihilated. Mali's attack was relentless, their defense impenetrable, and the scoreboard ruthless: 75-49.

Sika Koné was the undisputed star of the night. The 23-year-old forward dazzled with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 assists for an efficiency rating of 27. Kadidia Maiga’s 13-point contribution added to Mali’s dominance, securing top spot in Group B and punching their ticket to the quarterfinals.

For Cameroon, Joelly Belleka (14 points) and Jessica Thomas (13 points) were lone sparks in a dark evening.

After the defeat, Cameroon's forward Dulcy Fankam was candid in her reflection:

“We didn’t provide enough effort. We lacked drive and mentally we weren’t in the game. We didn’t play like ourselves and that’s what cost us. We’ll review the footage and regroup for the next challenge.” Cameroon's Dulcy Fankam.

In stark contrast, Mali’s Sika Koné spoke with calm confidence:

“The plan was to stay united, execute the strategy, and give 100 percent against Cameroon. Our goal is clear—we want to win the championship. This was a big step, but the journey isn’t over.” Mali's Sika Kone.

With the group stage behind them, Cameroon must now face Angola in a do-or-die clash to qualify for the quarterfinals. Mali, meanwhile, await the winner between Mozambique and Guinea, with their eyes firmly set on AfroBasket gold.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]