TRIPOLI (Libya) - Guinea gave themselves a lifeline in the chase for a 2025 AfroBasket ticket after stunning favourites Angola 66-65 to register their first victory in Group E.
Ranked 74th and having gone winless in the February 2024 first window, the Nedeljko Asceric-led sid dominated the clash, against all the odds, taking the fight down to the wire as Childe Dundao missed a match-tying free throw with 00:05 seconds left.
Ousmane Drame was the star for Guinea, getting the defensive rebound to assure his side a chance at playing in Angola later in the year.
TURNING POINT: The biggest difference between the two teams in the final quarter was four points (58-54) with two minutes to play, so it was anyone's game until the final whistle.
But Guinea's 22-17 first-quarter lead was more than just a good start, it was a sneak preview of what they were going to do, and they executed it to perfection.
HERO: Ousmane Drame not only saved Guinea from the agony of overtime, but his ninth rebound also secured his side a place at this year's AfroBasket. He finished with a team-high 17 points, four assists and an efficiency rating of 18.
STATS DON'T LIE: Anibal Moreira's charges will have themselves to blame for the loss in a match that they missed eight of 22 from the charity stripe.
Guinea dropped 14 of their 19. Angola dominated the paint 36-18 but it was Guinea who got the better of their opponent in fast break points, going 18-10. Guinea's shooting from range carried them through the match as they shot 10 of 31 against Angola's 5 of 30.
BOTTOM LINE: Guinea are now 1-3 in group E that is led by Tunisia and with Kenya giving away points to the continental defending champions, Tunisia, the resolve for Asceric's charges to qualify just got a boost. This is Guinea's first victory against the record African champions.
THEY SAID: "My players did an excellent job tonight. Despite our main pint guard Shannon Evans going out with an injury. Ahmed Doumbia and Ousmane Kaba did a good job covering for his absence against one of the best teams in the continent. We led most part of the game but the beauty was seeing my players enjoying the game. This was great team work and I expect more going into the coming games," coach Nedeljko Ascetic.
"Our game plan on defense did not work. Credit to Guinea, they played well, shot 10 times on threes to shut us down," Angola head coach Anibal Moreira.
"We have to make changes in the next game against Kenya. They are a good side that plays physical and we have to be prepared for that despite the setback today," Angola Power forward Abou Gakou.
FIBA