TRIPOLI (Libya) - The race for the 2025 AfroBasket slots heated up in Group B as Nigeria picked up a second win to re-enter the qualifying conversation with a game to spare and Libya ended Cape Verde's unbeaten run. Powered by Caleb Agada and Ike Nwamu, the West Africans avenged their 72-62 loss to Uganda in the February 2024 window with a dominant 87-67 victory to move to 2-3.
Uganda's game plan worked for three quarters, but Mandy Juruni's side disintegrated in the final six minutes, allowing Nigeria to go on a 20-1 run to seal their second win.
Agada and Nwamu combined for 38 points, the former scoring two more as the duo added seven assists and five rebounds a piece in the win.
Deng John Geu and Robinson Opong led the charge for Uganda with 20 and 17 points respectively. "It feels good to win but we cannot dwell much on it as we have one more game to play. We did not have the best of starts as we are still getting to know each other but I hope for a better show against Cape Verde," Agada, who fouled out of the clash with seven minutes on the clock, said. Coach Abdulrahman Mohamed said the Nigerian spirit pushed them after a tough game on day one. "Credit to Uganda, they had a game plan and forced us to chase the game in the second half. We played against a team keen to shut us from the floor so we had to attack the basket."
The win leaves Nigeria third on seven points before their final clash against Cape Verde, a match coach Mohamed terms a 'must-win' for his side. On their part, Uganda, also on seven points have a date with hosts Libya. "The result is disappointing but I am proud of how we played today. The final score doesn't give my team credit for what they did. We could have played better in the final quarter but this is part of the game. We have another match to play. We are still in contention and that is what we focus on. We did not take care of the ball and some of the turnovers that saw them score 28 points off our 19 were avoidable," Uganda head coach Mandy Juruni. "Nigeria are a good side, very athletic but our mindset was to come out and compete to qualify. We fought them for three quarters but broke down in the fourth. They took advantage of the one-on-one situations, and the turnovers hurt us. We have to get over it quick, watch film and be ready for tomorrow," Uganda's John Geu said.
Libya dominate the paint to beat Cape Verde
Mohamed Sadi received high praise from coach Fouad Bou Chakra for carrying Libya through to a 82-80 victory over 2021 AfroBasket fourth-place finishers Cape Verde, a win that leaves them second in Group B ahead of the final match day.
"Libya is playing against the rules, we have six players on the court every time Sadi is on the floor. He has done everything for this team. He is the captain but also pushes the team, carries the determination and goal for us and he has been an inspiration. Our country is happy, so are we," coach Bou Chakra offered after the match. The tactician said the home crowd helped them come from a slow start to take the lead at half time, fighting from a 12-point deficit at one point, giving away their eight-point lead as well to hold on for victory. The North Africans, making a return to continental basketball in over a decade, had lost 72-68 to the Islander in Window 1, but dominated the paint 40-26 on Saturday night for victory.
Naseim Ismail Salem Badrush led the scoring with 20, four more than Sofian Hamad and Basem Albebas but Sadi's double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds saw him receive plaudits for the clutch victory. "This is a big Cape Verde team that has experienced players and winning against them with such a young squad means a lot. This is purely hard work from our camp. We will, however, not dwell on it as we have another match to win to lead our group," Sadi said after the match.
FIBA