South Africa to face Zimbabwe in final FIBA AfroBasket 2017 qualifier

LUSAKA (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - South Africa have a chance to qualify for the prestigious FIBA AfroBasket 2017 showpiece in Congo after they finished second in the Group G Qualifiers on Thursday.

The Proteas, as they are nicknamed after their national emblem, were handed a lifeline after Angola saw off hosts Zambia 83-45 in the last game with the latter finishing third with just one win.

Craig Gilchrist’s outfit registered a 1-3 ratio at the regional tournament with a convincing 92-55 opening win against Zambia but lost to eventual champions Angola 87-51.

Two more straight losses to Zambia 82-71 and Angola 91-57 meant that their fate was no longer in their hands any more and would hope for Angola to defeat Zambia on the last day, which they did indeed 83-45 much to celebrations in the South Africa camp.

South Africa’s 37-point gap against Zambia in the opener came in handy since the latter only won by nine points in the return leg and therefore the Proteas had a better head-to-head.

South Africa will face Zimbabwe in Johannesburg from 8 - 9 April and the winner will join Angola and Mozambique to represent Zone 6 at the continental showpiece in Brazzaville from August 19-30. 

Mozambique emerged winners of Zone 6 Group H after they defeated Zimbabwe over two legs 80-68 and 85-65 in Maputo earlier this month.

The winner between South Africa and Zimbabwe will join Angola, Cameroon, the hosts Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, reigning champions Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda. 

The other two slots will be determined via a wild card process to complete the 16-team lineup that will battle for the coveted trophy in the summer.

FIBA