U16 AfroBasket Men: Angola Crushes Sierra Leone 65-37 as Winless Streak Continues

Angola Crushes Sierra Leone 65-37 as Winless Streak Continues

Angola opened with a sharp 5-0 run before Abdulrahman Sesay finally broke through with a triple at the 5:44 mark. Sierra Leone closed the gap to one point, but Angola responded with an 11-2 burst to claim the first quarter 17-7. Their defensive length rattled Salone early, forcing hurried shots and rushed offensive sets.

Momentum briefly shifted in the second quarter behind Sesay’s creativity and Benjamin Davies’ scoring touch. A smooth dime from Sesay set up an alley-oop bucket that trimmed Angola’s lead to five points, then Davies added consecutive scores to cut the margin to three. The rally forced an Angolan timeout, but the reset fueled Angola’s devastating 12-0 run to close the half up 36-21.

That sequence effectively changed the game’s complexion. Angola returned from halftime in complete control, suffocating Sierra Leone’s offense with ball pressure and interior shot contests. Edilson Pedro, Edvaldo Pessela, Alfredo Micaba and Fernando Joao combined to bury Sierra Leone’s resistance, with Pedro dictating tempo on both ends.

Angola held Salone to 10 points in the third quarter, punishing turnovers and capitalizing in transition. Five team turnovers from Sierra Leone allowed Angola to stretch their cushion to 50-31 entering the final period. Angola’s poise under pressure contrasted sharply with Sierra Leone’s wasteful possessions and inconsistent rebounding.

Sierra Leone attempted one final push early in the fourth when Samuel Sahr Johnny scored to make it 50-35. Angola, unfazed, delivered another 12-0 run to extinguish any lingering hope. By the time Johnny netted Sierra Leone’s second field goal of the quarter in the final minute, the contest had long been decided.

Pedro starred with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, demonstrating the maturity that anchors Angola’s U15 campaign. Pessela and Micaba complemented him well, ensuring Angola maintained balance and execution on both ends. Their ability to convert defense into offense separated the teams decisively.

For Sierra Leone, Sesay once again shouldered responsibility, finishing with 11 points and seven rebounds in a losing cause. Davies offered support with timely baskets, but Sierra Leone’s offensive execution faltered whenever Angola ramped up pressure. Poor shooting efficiency, untimely turnovers and lapses in defensive rotations undercut their early resilience.

The 65-37 loss is another prime example Sierra Leone’s growing pains in their tough U16 AfroBasket Men's campaign. Their three consecutive defeats reveal the gulf in experience and technical cohesion compared to "traditional" continental powerhouses like Angola. Still, flashes from Sesay, Davies and Johnny suggest a foundation worth building if properly supported long term.

Angola’s victory keeps them firmly on course as contenders in the 2025 FIBA U16 AfroBasket. Their mixture of disciplined defense, transition efficiency and balanced scoring depth reflects the hallmarks of Angola’s senior program. For Sierra Leone, the tournament remains a baptism by fire, yet every possession offers an education that could bear fruit in future cycles.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]