Central African Republic clinch last qualifying spot for FIBA AfroBasket 2017, secure place in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers

BAMAKO (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - By beating Chad 67-64 in the Malian city of Bamako on Sunday, the Central African Republic (CAF) clinched the last qualifying spot for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017.

In a contest that Chad led by as many as seven points and headed to the locker room with a 29-25 half-time lead, CAF's Michael Mokongo became the game-changer. 

The 30-year-old point guard finished with game-highs 24 points and 8 assists to help the former African champions complete the 16-team FIBA AfroBasket 2017 line-up. 

Mike Koibe, a key factor for Chad throughout the qualifier was limited to a team-high 12 points before fouling out, and Chad were never the same again. 

With the win, CAF closed this FIBA Africa additional qualifier with a 2-0 record thanks to Friday's triumph against Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Chad return home with a 1-1 edge while Zimbabwe finished with a 0-2 mark.

In the process, CAF not only ensured a place in FIBA Africa's most important competition but they also secured a place in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifiers, where they will take on Group D's Senegal, Mozambique and Cote d'Ivoire.

The FIBA AfroBasket 2017 line-up consists of continental champions Nigeria, Angola, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Guinea, Rwanda and CAF.

FIBA