Egypt, Algeria, Mali and Mozambique off to good start

PHOENIX (FIBA U16 African Championship 2017) – Egypt, Mali, Algeria and Mozambique all opened their FIBA U16 African Championship 2017 campaign with convincing wins on Thursday at the Phoenix gymnasium, in Mauritius.

Reiging champions Egypt recorded the day’s largest win trouncing Madagascar 117-63.

The North Africans opened their Group B campaign dominating Madagascar from start to finish, living up to their title contender credentials, 

As much as Madagascar tried to stay alive in the contest, they wasted several opportunities to do so, turning the ball 31 times. 

Mali, the runners-up of the 2015 edition, followed suit.

Led by Siriman Kanoute and Oumar Ballo, who combined for 41 Mali points, the Western Africans sealed 61-40 triumph over Tunisia.

"We need to win this competition. We came to Mauritius with the certainty that we are here to bring the trophy back home,” Kanoute told FIBA.basketball.

In second encounter of the day, Algeria - who claimed a third-place finish two years ago - had no troubles to overcome Rwanda 61-39.

Meanwhile, hosts Mauritius had a tough continental debut as Alexandre Wong and team-mates suffered a resounding 94-28 defeat to Mozambique.

The Islanders were sent packing early in the game after conceding six unanswered points. 

Mozambique had no trouble to score, and it came as no surprise that they led by 30 points early in the game. 

Nevertheless, Mauritius head coach Christophe Saubestre, remains confident: "We knew it was going to be a bad start for us. But we still have hopes we’d be better than this. We now need to concentrate and look forward to our next game against Tunisia,” Saubestre concluded.

FIBA