PRETORIA (South Africa)- It is the winner-takes-all phase of the U18 Women's AfroBasket, with four matches on the cards to determine the semifinalists, following the successful completion of the Group Phase.
Group leaders Tunisia, Mali and Egypt head to the quarters as favourites, having qualified unbeaten, with reigning bronze medalists Angola who finished second in Group B facing a herculean task in their quest in establishing themselves as one of the big 4.
The favourites, however, face formidable opposition that has the potential to cause upsets. Here is all you need to know in all four matches.
Mali vs Rwanda
Record title holders Mali, who are chasing a ninth title and second in a row, face a Rwandese side that qualified as one of the two best placed third-place finishers, thus heading to the clash as favourites.
Bar their encounter in the Group Phase against Angola where they won 51-43, the West Africans have been dominant, beating Zambia 136-13, the biggest winning score so far, before cruising to a 97-61 win over Morocco.
The East Africans, on their part won their opener 102-37 against hosts South Africa but fell 74-71 in a thrilling encounter with Tunisia and 79-46 against debutants Cameroon.
Both coach Diakite Sory and his opposite Jacques Bahige have some key players expected to dictate the match, with the former's charge led by the trio of Oummou Koumare, Oumou Dabo and skipper Mama Sidiki Doumbia.
Rwanda have their scoring machine in Brigitte Nibishaka who is expected to partner Yvonne Muhawenimana, Rebecca Cyuzuzo and Vanessa Prissy Camara to push the East Africans over the holders.
Their only meeting in the U18 Women's AfroBasket dates back to 2018 on Rwanda's debut, and they had nothing on the eventual champions then, going down 124-27 in the semis.
Tunisia vs Uganda
Coach Wissem Chrayet's Tunisia remain unbeaten after three matches, their toughest challenge having come from Rwanda in Group A for a 74-71 victory. The North Africans had gone 73-59 past Cameroon and 91-24 against the hosts.
As they play a Ugandan side that lost once in the Group Phase, the stage is set for what is expected to be a scintillating battle. John Omondi's Junior Gazelles beat Zimbabwe 85-36, fell to unbeaten Egypt 76-53 before recovering for a 80-64 victory over Nigeria to advance.
The two sides seem to be almost at par statistically, from the Group Phase numbers, but Tunisia could have a huge advantage on the paint where they have shot 50% against Uganda's 39.3% on average.
Ines Ben Rejeb and Yoldez Ben Belaid, leaders for coach Chrayet so far, will be key for the 2004 champions, returning since 2016 when they placed sixth.
Uganda have Resty Nanangwe taking care of their offense with coach Omondi expected to deploy Mia Belinda Alaba and Modesta Anyango among others, in their quest to end their losing streak against the Tunisians.
The last time the two sides met was in 2016, Uganda losing 65-26. Their first meeting, dating back to 2008 ended 77-38.
Cameroon vs Angola
On their debut, Cameroon have proven a force and it remains to be seen how they handle the reigning bronze medalists, Angola.
Ange Majolie Lonteu's Cameroon picked wins against South Africa (107-23) and Rwanda (79-46), falling to Tunisia (73-59) in the Group Phase while Angola had a similar run, just like the Central Africans, recovering from a 51-43 loss to Mali in the opener, for back-to-back victories against Morocco (74-62) and Zambia (82-35).
Coach Paulo Macedo's charges, however, have their work cut out as the statistics, after 3 matches, are against them. Cameroon, for instance, are averaging 46.7 points on the paint against Angola's 29.3. Bench points are on a 27-20 ratio, 21-11 for second chance points, 25-12.7 from fast breakers and 34-29 on points from turnovers.
Damaris Emedie leads the offense for Cameroon with Luisa Amaral and Margarida Moniz coach Macedo's arsenal against the on-form Cameroon.
Egypt vs Nigeria
In a repeat of their Group Phase opener, Egypt seek to defeat rivals Nigeria, again, to advance. Their first meeting ended 72-60, the North Africans exploding for a 22-12 second quarter that settled the matter as Nigeria were unable to mount a comeback.
Despite heading to the Quarter Finals unbeaten, the Pharaohs have a battle in containing a Nigerian side that seems to be playing better with each match.
The West Africans picked a 107-30 win over Zimbabwe, falling to Egypt and Uganda (80-64), but doing enough to advance as one of two best third-placed finishers.
While coach Moustafa Atef Hadhood has stars for starters led by Khadiga Abouelghait, his bench has proved instrumental in this campaign, averaging 49 points per game compared to Nigeria's 22.7 and his rotation is expected to reflect that.
Idubamo Beggi has played a crucial role for Nigeria as has Abigail Isaac and coach Juliana Ojoshogu Negedu is expected to build his game around the duo.
FIBA