PREVIEW - Who will take the 2023 AfroCan title home? Morocco or Cote d'Ivoire?

 

LUANDA (Angola) - The stage is set for the 2023 FIBA AfroCan Final, which will pit Morocco against Cote d'Ivoire in a clash between outsiders who have now become title contenders.

Given the track records of these two teams, we can expect a hard-fought encounter on Sunday at Kilamba Arena, Luanda.

Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire have never faced each other in the AfroCan history.

While Morocco qualified automatically to this year's AfroCan - by virtue of reaching the Semi-Finals four years ago - Cote went through a regional qualifier last month in Abidjan to make it to the Luanda showdown.

THE 2023 FIBA AFROCAN FIBA WILL BE STREAMED ON FIBA'S YOUTUBE CHANEL  

At the beginning of the tournament few predicted these two teams to be able to reach the Final, but that's what makes the FIBA AfroCan one of the most exciting tournaments on the continent, where any team has real chances of winning the title.

Morocco experienced some ups and down earlier in the tournament. 

Mohamed Choua is one of Morocco key players to attack the 2023 AfroCan title

After prevailing 59-58 on the opening game against Rwanda, Morocco came up short against Tunisia (67-52), before winning three in a row - triumphs over Cameroon, Kenya and RD Congo - to reach the Championship Game.

With reigning champions DR Congo, hosts Angola and Tunisia - three teams that won their groups to advance directly to the Quarter-Finals - out of the title race, it's hard to predict who will lift the trophy on Sunday, July 16 as Cote d'Ivoire and Morocco have a lot going for them.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SHOW ABOUT MOROCCO?

Morocco reached the Final on a 4-1 mark, averaging 64 points, 34.6 rebounds, 14.8 assists and 2.8 turnovers per game.

But they'll be particularly keen to ride the wave of success created by their Semi-Final victory over reigning AfroCan champions DR Congo.

Morocco can also boast a good Free-Throw shooting percentage, hitting 53 of their 92 attempts, enough to keep them dreaming of the title.

And Morocco coach Labib El Hamrani is the first to admit that his side are determined to improve their ranking.

"In 2019, we were fourth. This time we're in the final. It's a big step forward for us. I'm going to ask the players to give an extra effort, even if they're tired," he told FIBA.basketball.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SHOW ABOUT COTE D'IVOIRE?

Ahead of the Grande Finale, Cote d'Ivoire averaged 66 points, 40.3 rebounds and 17 assists per game.

Just like Morocco, the Ivorians also have a record of 4 wins and 1 defeat.

They made a poor start to the tournament, losing to Kenya, but they bounced back with wins over Gabon, Mali, Tunisia and Rwanda.

Indeed, Cote d'Ivoire coach Doh Kone admits his players were able to push themselves to the limit. "I asked the players to stay focused until the end. We're where we wanted to be and now we're going for the trophy."

Doh Kone

Throughout the Semi-Finals, the key to the game were often in the hands of players capable of grabbing rebounds.

Morocco grabbed 33 rebounds to Cote d'Ivoire had 36, meaning there is not much separating the two teams and the title will come down to very little details.

And, as Lionel Kouadio puts it, every player knows the hurdles to cross to reach the ultimate goal.

Mike Fofana

"Against Rwanda, we had to trust each other as teammates. Morocco are a good team. We'll come out with a great defense and execute our attack to lift the trophy," said Kouadio after their victorious run over Rwanda on Friday.

There's just one game left and it will undoubtedly go to the team that stays the most organized and focused on the floor. The only question is who, of Morocco or Cote d'Ivoire, will be able to make it?

FIBA