Cameroon end Chad's FIBA AfroBasket 2017 dream, advance to Final Round

YAOUNDE (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) – Cameroon on Thursday ended Chad's FIBA AfroBasket 2017 ambitions thanks to a 70-59 triumph in their capital of Yaounde.

It was Cameroon's fourth win in as many games in the FIBA Africa Zone 4 Group D qualifiers.

In the process, Cameroon became the 13th national team to qualify for the 16-team FIBA AfroBasket in Congo-Brazzaville in August.  

Both teams entered the last game of the regional qualifier separated by a point and a chance to make it to Congo-Brazzaville.

While Chad led 40-32 at the break, the hosts came up stronger in the second half to keep their undefeated run.

Cameroon’s Pierre Essome led the way with a game-best 16 points, Yangue Tankeu added 15 points and 19 rebounds while Chad's Nato Kolmia finished with a team-high 11 points.

Despite Chad's effort, they return home with a 2-2 mark, while Gabon lost all their four games.

Cameroon head to Brazzaville joining Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, Mozambique, Tunisia, Egypt, Uganda, Angola, Mali and Senegal.

Two tickets will be allocated via a wild card process to complete the 16-team tournament while South Africa and Zimbabwe - two teams that finished runners-up in the FIBA Africa Zone 6 Groups G and H respectively - will do battle for the last available place.

FIBA