U16 AfroBasket Men: Mali Clinch Bronze Medal with Thrilling 58-51 Victory

Mali Clinch Bronze Medal with Thrilling 58-51 Victory

Egypt and Mali traded early blows, testing defenses and ball-handling, leaving spectators on edge for every possession. The West Africans relied on composure, execution and clutch shooting to ultimately secure the medal for their nation.

Egypt jumped to an early 7-2 advantage before Idrissa Maiga cut the deficit to one with a fast break bucket. Yehia Bekhit and Yahya Ammar responded with back-to-back baskets to momentarily keep the North Africans ahead. Mali answered with a 6-0 run to close out the quarter, seizing an 11-12 lead going into the second period of play.

Mali carried momentum into the second period, opening with a 7-2 run courtesy of Coulibaly, Doumbia and Keita, pressuring Egypt defensively. By mid-quarter, Mali led 15-21, but Egypt cut the lead to three points with just over three minutes remaining. Diarra and Maiga closed the period with a 6-3 run, as Ammar drilled a three-pointer to bring the halftime score to 23-29.

The third quarter belonged to Egypt, who flipped the switch, scoring 18 points and holding Mali to 11 for a significant shift. Runs from Youssef, Hendy, Khataby and Guirguis gave the North Africans a 12-5 advantage, forcing a Mali timeout to reset strategy. Egypt briefly took a 35-34 lead, capitalizing on defensive pressure and timely three-point shooting to make the contest feel tense and competitive.

Mali executed a well-designed after-timeout play, but Ammar answered immediately with a triple to extend Egypt’s advantage to 38-36. Free throws from Guirguis and a technical foul on Doumbia increased the North African lead to 41-38. Mohamed Keita responded with a clutch basket to cut the deficit to one point heading into the final quarter, keeping the match tightly contested.

Mali surged early in the fourth quarter, forcing Egypt into a timeout after back-to-back three-pointers from Ballo and Keita established a 41-48 lead. Doumbia extended Mali’s advantage to 43-52, prompting another Egyptian timeout to halt momentum. Bekhit’s triple brought hope for a comeback, but Mali’s composure and efficient offense maintained control, limiting Egypt’s scoring opportunities.

Sustained Mali pressure allowed Doumbia to knock down free throws while forcing Egypt to commit late fouls, extending the lead to 49-56. With just 29 seconds left, Bekhit’s basket narrowed the gap to five points, but Keita calmly sank two free throws to secure the bronze medal. Mali celebrated their hard-earned victory, combining skill, determination and timely execution to end the tournament on a high.

Mali’s defensive pressure forced Egypt into 22 turnovers, generating 24 points off miscues, proving crucial in the tight contest.

Keita led Mali offensively with clutch baskets and free throws, while Doumbia provided steady scoring, rebounds and defensive impact throughout the match. Ballo’s contributions from beyond the arc and in transition kept Mali’s momentum rolling, countering Egypt’s bursts with timely execution. Diarra and Maiga anchored defense, securing rebounds, contesting shots and ensuring Egypt never gained a sustained advantage.

Egypt fought back valiantly in the third period, but turnovers, defensive lapses and poor late-quarter decisions ultimately cost them a chance at the podium. Mali walked away with the medal, reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s top U16 programs in 2025.

This win provides a confidence boost for Mali emphasizing the importance of grassroots skill development and team cohesion.

Mali’s performance in the bronze medal game demonstrates that, despite a tournament setback for the women, they remain a formidable force in West African basketball and highlights their talent pipeline.

‍
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]