SEMI-FINALS PREVIEW - Guinea v Angola; Mali v Egypt
It is D-day for Guinea, Angola, Mali and Egypt - the four teams that have reached the Semi-Finals stage of the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championship to determine who takes home this year's continental trophy.
MONASTIR (Tunisia) – It is D-day for Guinea, Angola, Mali and Egypt - the four teams that have reached the Semi-Finals stage of the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championship to determine who takes home this year's continental trophy.
GUINEA v ANGOLA
There is a grudge war at play here between these two sides dating back to 2019 when Guinea edged out Angola (77-54) in the Quarter-Finals before finishing fourth.
From the beginning of this year's championship, Guinea have remained unbeaten from the Group stage through to the Quarter-Final and they don't seem to want to let go that trend anytime soon.
Angola v Guinea, 2019 FIBA U16 African Championship in Praia, Cape Verde
Guinea have not hidden their intention of going all the way to the Final.
Coach Ibrahima Toure has got plenty of options to pick from to ensure victory for his side and with dependable rebounder Araphane Diane on duty. He is rest assured that the Angolans will be kept at bay,
He also has scorers in Nour Gassim Toure, Sekou Toure, Karanmadi Gassama and Mohamed Lamine Toure not to forget Gasim Savane.
Guinea may well just achieve their dream of reaching the Final and get a ticket to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup if they execute according to the plans of the coaching crew.
Angola, since winning the title back in 2013, have been longing to have another shot at it. They have their minds made up to give their best and stop the unbeaten run of Guinea.
They were 3-1 from the Group stage and survived Chad in the Quarter-Finals to reach the Last Four.
The likes of Celestino Augusto , Graciano N'Thonia, Garcia Kabemba, Josemar Cesar and Marcelo Paulino will be depended on to get the job done. It sure promises to an interesting encounter.
MALI v EGYPT
Mali have got a lot on their minds going into this encounter against Egypt. The pharaohs have been their albatross most times they have met.
Against the five-time champions, Mali will need to dig much deeper than they did at the 2021 Final to change the form books.
Though, Mali have had a good run from the Group Stage and the Quarter-Finals recording five wins from five games, they will want to keep the progression line open.
Mali have only taken a 76-65 win over Egypt in their five meetings and this happened at the 2017 Final when Mali emerged champions.
Mali and Egypt are 2-2, dating back to the 2017 edition of the tournament.
Egypt v Mali, Final of the 2021 FIBA U16 African Championship
Although Egypt won the 2021 Championship, they came up short in the Group Phase (71-62), but they prevailed (63-62) in the Final in Cairo.
Mali won the 2017 Championship after beating Egypt (76-65) in the Final in Mauritius.
In the 2019 Final, Egypt came up strong, winning 66-57.
Head Coach of Mali Mamoutou Kane will depend on the dexterity of guard Chectare Baradji to help direct the game in their favor and providing the necessary drive to open up scoring opportunities for Sidy Toure, Sekou Bagayoko, Sambala Sissoko, Mahamadou Diop and Mamadou Diarra to do enough damage.
As for Egypt, they have a psychological edge over Mali and will want to rob it in. While Mali will be seeking a reverse of the past results that were not in their favor, Egypt will be seeking to confirm their superiority over the West African side.
Coach Amr Aboulkheir and his crew are determined to keep the dominance over Mali.
He will be looking the way of Annas Mohamed, Mohamed Wael, Omar Elsisi, Youssef Elhalawany, Omar Essam, Nour Hady Salah and Omar Essam to complete the fire power of the Egyptians.
FIBA