Mali turn tables on Madagascar to stay perfect at FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2026

Four years after Madagascar defeated Mali in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Semi-Finals on home soil in Antananarivo, the two nations met again with a different outcome, as Mali combined defensive pressure with a strong second half to come away with the nine-point victory.

The result took Mali's record to a perfect 3-0, while Madagascar dropped to 2-1. Despite the defeat, Madagascar joined Mali in progressing to the Quarter-Finals, leaving both sides with knockout basketball ahead of them.

Mali seized control immediately, holding Madagascar to just one point in the opening quarter on their way to an 11-1 advantage. Madagascar's offensive struggles were severe, but the game changed dramatically in the second period.

The islanders responded with a 22-point quarter while limiting Mali to nine, transforming a 10-point deficit into a 23-20 halftime lead.

It was quite the resurrection after scoring one point in 10 minutes. Basketball, apparently, enjoys making coherent narratives unnecessarily difficult.

Mali, however, came out of the interval with renewed purpose.

They produced their best offensive quarter of the contest, outscoring Madagascar 20-11 in the third to reclaim the lead at 40-34. The West Africans then controlled the fourth period 13-10 to close out the victory.

Mali's ability to generate points from Madagascar's mistakes proved crucial. They scored 24 points from turnovers, compared with Madagascar's 16, and finished with 21 steals as they continually disrupted their opponents.

Madagascar committed 31 turnovers, although Mali were hardly spotless themselves with 29 in a game dominated by defensive pressure and loose possessions.

Mali also enjoyed a substantial advantage in transition, outscoring Madagascar 19-8 in fast-break points, while producing a 28-16 advantage in points in the paint.

Mamadou Niama Sissoko and Aboubacar Sidiki Konate led Mali's scoring with 11 points apiece.

Sissoko was particularly efficient, making three of his seven field-goal attempts and five of six free throws. Konate also shot three-of-seven from the floor, including one-of-two from three-point range, while converting four of five attempts at the foul line.

Mouhamed Diaman Sanogo supplied eight points in fewer than six minutes, making four of five shots, while N'Dji Ibourahima Coulibaly added six points. Mohamed Keita also finished with six.

Mali's production was spread throughout the roster despite a difficult overall shooting performance. They converted 31 percent of their field-goal attempts, including 39.47 percent from two-point range and only 14.29 percent from beyond the arc.

Their greatest shooting advantage came at the free-throw line, where they converted 63.64 percent, compared with Madagascar's 37.5 percent.

Madagascar were led by Harinosy A'Rasetrialrivony, who produced arguably the strongest individual performance of the contest despite the defeat. He finished with a game-high 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, shooting six-of-13 from the field.

Havanirina Theldy Raveloson added eight points and four rebounds, while Tsirinilaina F.Y. Ndriana and Abdoul Yvan Hanaffi contributed seven points each. Ndriana also collected 10 rebounds, five of them offensive, giving Madagascar an important presence on the glass.

Madagascar actually won the overall rebounding contest 47-45 and collected 19 offensive rebounds to Mali's 16. Those extra possessions helped them score nine second-chance points compared with Mali's seven, but their turnover problems prevented them from fully exploiting the advantage.

Both teams struggled offensively, with Madagascar shooting just 26 percent from the field. They were slightly better than Mali from three-point range at 18.18 percent but could not compensate for Mali's greater efficiency inside and in transition.

The lead changed hands only twice, illustrating the distinct momentum swings that defined the game. Mali led for 33 minutes and 24 seconds and built the game's largest advantage at 14 points. Madagascar, who led for only 4:33, nevertheless managed a 14-0 scoring run during their remarkable recovery.

Ultimately, Mali's second-half response settled the contest. After surrendering their early advantage and trailing at halftime, they refused to allow Madagascar's resurgence to develop into another painful chapter in this rivalry.

The historical undertone made the result particularly notable. In 2022, Madagascar prevailed over Mali in the U18 AfroBasket Semi-Finals in Antananarivo, advancing to the continental final in front of their home support.

This time, Mali had the final word.

They move into the Quarter-Finals unbeaten at 3-0, carrying momentum and a defence capable of creating chaos, while Madagascar advance at 2-1 with plenty to address—particularly those 31 turnovers—before the tournament becomes considerably less forgiving.

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[Photography/Imagery : Courtesy of FIBA]