L. MathekaHistory for Guinea as Mali continue dominance in FIBA Africa U16
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 24.07.23. | 22:24
Assitan Diarisso and Nour Gassim Toure were named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Guinea made history on Sunday as they were crowned winners of the boys’ FIBA U16 African Championship in their first appearance in the Final.
This is the first time, since 2013, that a team not Egypt or Mali has won the boys championship.
The 84-76 win was Guinea's second victory over Egypt in this year's tournament. It followed an 83-78 victory in the group stage.
Five-time finalists Mali fought the battle of their lives to finish third in this year's edition after they beat Angola 63-56.
Five-time winners of the tournament Egypt led 48-44 at the break; they enjoyed a 15-point lead in the third quarter, but Guinea responded with a 26-0 run in the fourth quarter to shock Egypt, and, deservedly, clinch their first-ever African championship title.
Guinea’s Nour Gassim Toure was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Toure, a point guard with an impressive skillset, averaged 20 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.1 assists in seven games.
Toure was joined in the All-Tournament Team by his teammate Araphan Diane, Egypt's Mohamed Wael Shahin, Mahamadou dit Kouye Diop of Mali and Moroccan Rayane Solhi.
Mali girls win their 8th consecutive @FIBA Women’s U16 title in a dramatic final against Egypt. This is the sixth time they have denied Egypt in the 8 editions of the championship! https://t.co/0mElaazdmL
— Matheka (@Lynmatheka) July 22, 2023
In the girls’ competition, Mali continued their dominance to bag their eighth title in a dramatic final against Egypt, a match that ended 57-56.
The two sides have now met in six Finals since the championship was launched in 2009 and in all, Egypt have either been fully dominated or come close.
Saturday's Final was one for the books, the closest Egypt have come to dethroning Mali since the sides' 62-61 outcome in the 2013 Final in Maputo.
Assitan Diarisso made her presence felt throughout the championship and it came as no surprise that she was named the MVP of the tournament.
The Malian was joined in the All-Tournament team by Diarisso's teammate Tenin Diarra, Angola's Ana Servico, and Egyptian duo of Injy Elghayesh and Kadiga Abouelghait who inspired their countries to a podium finish.
