Equatorial Guinea keep AfroBasket 2021 qualification's hope despite second loss in a row

YAOUNDE (Cameroon) - Equatorial Guinea may have conceded their second defeat in as many games Saturday, but they remain adamant that they want to qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

On the day that Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire extended their Group C winning streaks to two to games, Equatorial Guinea swingman Kingsley Obiewke Sam told a post-match press conference that losing to the Ivorians 78-64 won't prevent them from dreaming about in the Final Round.

Equatorial Guinea led Cote d'Ivoire 33-30 at the break, but the 'Elephants' of Cote d'Ivoire regrouped in time to avoid what could have been the biggest upsets in the tournament so far.

 

Stephen Konate ignited the Ivorian comeback with a team-high 18 points, Deon Thompson added 13 off the bench. Cote d'Ivoire were the better team, especially in the second half, and according to head coach Natxo Lezkano communication was important.

"We have found more options in the offensive end. At halftime we shared a message; we were patient in the offence to find the open man and we got the win," Lezkano explained.

Obiewke Sam and Walter Cabral finished with 19 points each in the losing cause. 

 

"We keep doing everything we can, because we want to win and we want to qualify to the Final Round," Obiewke Sam stressed.

In Saturday's second game, hosts Cameroon sealed yet another victory after beating a stubborn Guinea 90-59 to improve their mark to 2-0.

After beating Equatorial Guinea 90-58 on Friday, Cameroon continue to keep their opponents under 60 points, which explains the success of their aggressive defense in their first two Group C games.

Arnaud Adala Moto finished with a game-high 18 points, leading four other Cameroonians who scored eleven points or more each.

Ahead of Sunday's much-awaited game against Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire coach Lezkano recalled that all games are difficult. "We will be ready," the Spaniard, who was on the bench of Cote d'Ivoire's triumph against Cameroon at 2013 AfroBasket, noted.

Equatorial Guinea (0-2) vs Guinea (0-2) and Cote d'Ivoire (2-0) vs Cameroon (2-0) conclude the first-leg of Group C on Sunday.

FIBA