U16 AfroBasket Men: Mali Zooms Into Final Four With Crucial Win Over Tunisia

Mali Zooms Into Final Four With Crucial Win Over Tunisia

Mali advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 FIBA U16 AfroBasket Men, maintaining its unbeaten run in this edition with a hard-earned 73–70 win over Tunisia. The Malians were also recording their fifth win in six meetings between the two sides at this level, to boast of a better supremacy advantage.

Adama Sima delivered a crucial performance for the West Africans, posting a double-double with 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds - seven of which were defensive while shooting an efficient 6-for-9 from the field and making one three-pointer. Still, it was Moustapha Doumbia who ultimately bagged the much-needed win.

Although he finished with just nine points in the game, his late-game composure proved decisive. With Tunisia narrowing the score to 71–69 in the final moments, Doumbia converted a crucial two-point shot backed by a subsequent free throw from Rafrafi to increase the points garnered to 73. Time elapsed on the Tunisians before the end of the final quarter, and that settled the feisty encounter.

Mali signaled their intent early and led from the first quarter and effectively protected their lead despite running a lean roster. Their persistent defensive pressure forced Tunisia into making turnovers, allowing them to enter the break with a 45–36 advantage from the first two encounters.

And despite keeping an eye on this game, plus a few players available to play even with a narrow rotation, Mali managed to contain Tunisia's offensive threats for a time. It watched their team open up a 19-point lead in the third quarter, with the momentum appearing to cruise toward victory.

However, Tunisia mounted a fierce comeback in the final period, almost forcing the game into overtime, unleashing a 23–10 surge that silenced the crowd and tightened the scoreline. Still, Mali stayed patient and worked their way back into the contest as they pulled ahead and eventually closed the gap to just three points in a thrilling final effort. But Mali held its nerve in the closing moments, doing just enough to secure the win and advance to the semi-finals, where they would go up against Cameroon.

Mali's success can be attributed to two things: first, their dominance in the paint, outscoring Tunisia 44-34. Mali also took advantage of their opponent's errors, converting 20 turnovers into 20 points. Additionally, Mali thrived in transition, scoring 29 points on the fast break.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]