Mali vs Egypt: Is this the hottest rivalry in U18 African Championship?

 

ABIDJAN (Cote d’Ivoire) – If Mali and Egypt cross swords on August 14, it will only be the ninth time these two nations have met for the title decider at any FIBA African Championship, U16 and U18 concerned.

And though these teams have written their names in bold letters in African basketball, the rivalry between them does not seem to fade.

Former Mali Head Coach Aladji Dicko, who led them to world fame, explains why to FIBA.basketball.

In the countdown, Egypt leads by a comfortable 5 titles to two for Mali. The latter have won their first title in 2018, in front of their home fans, washing away the cruel defeat of the 2015 FIBA U16 African Championship, where they lost the finals to Egypt. It took them only two years to conquer their second crown, this time in Cairo.

When asked what the origin of such a rivalry was, coach Dicko reckons it comes from both countries' training and development programs. "There are many similarities between our two nations. The first one is we both want to show that each one has the best development strategy for youth basketball."

 
And this translates to epic clashes between the two. "We have seen so many matches between Mali and Egypt and it will not slow down shortly."

Both countries also derive great pride and satisfaction from the follow-up of their respective players. "Each time they have clashed, Egypt and Mali have shown discipline on and off the court. So, the rivalry goes up to this level," analyses Dicko.

But credit goes to Mali, according to Dicko, because they have been able to adapt and put an end to Egypt's domination. "Mali have been able to adapt its strategy and it shows in their recent wins over their arch-rivals."

However, Dicko, who led Mali to a silver medal at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2019, says that these two nations' domination on the continent could be at stake now that some other contenders, such as Senegal, or Angola, who ruled some time back, are showing signs of wanting the crown.

"When you see that Senegal, Angola, Guinea, and others give us hard time, you know that basketball is on right track."

It seems that others have decided to put in even more effort and are joining the rivalry.

"Senegal beating us two years back means that it's like a cycle. First, there was Nigeria, then Angola, then Egypt. Mali's time is now. But we must all be very careful: other contenders are showing up fast. I think that we are witnessing an emulation in Africa. Every team wants to knock us off our perch. And we are thriving to stay up there," adds Dicko.

Does he have any prediction about this year's FIBA U18 African Championship? "It's difficult to predict an outcome. But from what I see, things are going to be tough in Madagascar. "
 

But he believes that teams leveling up is for the greater good of basketball on the continent.

"Mali going to win a silver medal on the world stage is not due to sheer luck. It's because they have invested in youth. Now, when Senegal beat us in 2020 (Group Phase), it was the first time for them. And it seems that they have tasted victory and want it more and more."

It can only mean one thing. "Everyone is working towards the same goal. And this can only serve the purpose of basketball in Africa," he concludes.

FIBA