South Africa become 14th team to qualify for FIBA AfroBasket 2017

JOHANNESBURG - (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - South Africa on Saturday became the 14th national team to qualify for this year's FIBA AfroBasket despite a 70-68 defeat to Zimbabwe in Johannesburg.

Zimbabwe's Tawanda Chitsinde did a bit of everything in his power to give his team a chance of bouncing back from Friday's 74-67 defeat, but it was South Africa's resilience that proved crucial.

Zimbabwe led from start to finish, Chitsinde made 21 of his game-high 24 points from behind the arc, but somehow, South Africa cut a 21-point deficit to secure a 142-137 win on aggregate.

With the win, South Africa return to the FIBA AfroBasket for the first time since 2011 while Zimbabwe failed a back to back qualification for FIBA Africa' flagship event.

South Africa head coach Craig Gilchrist paid tribute to his players. 

"I was very proud of our players," the former South African international told FIBA.com. "They showed great determination for really a young team, and the three veteran players showed great leadership.

"Now the hard work starts. We are well aware that competition is tougher in the rest of Africa compared to [FIBA Africa] Zone VI."

The FIBA AfroBasket 2017 is expected to take place from August 19-30 in Congo-Brazzaville.

Teams qualified include African champions Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Egypt, Uganda, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa.

Two tickets will be awarded through a wild card process.

FIBA