Ruthless Senegal destroy Rwanda to qualify for China 2019

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Senegal on Friday became the fourth African country to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

The Senegalese entered Friday's game needing only one win, but they ruthlessly demolished Rwanda 81-41 in the second game of the day in Abidjan.

Youssoupha Ndoye - who has been one of Senegal's top performers throughout the African Qualifiers - rose to the occasion once again.

Ndoye finished with game-highs 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals as Senegal led from start to finish, dominating at all aspects of the game. 

Dieudonne Ndizeye came off the bench to lead Rwanda with 7 points, and even though the East Africans tried to play for pride, the game belonged to the Senegalese "Lions of Teranga".

With the win Senegalese not only improved their African Qualifiers mark to 8-2, but they also secured their second straight FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance since 2014.

Youssoupha Ndoye (Senegal)

And with two games still to be played in Abidjan until Sunday, Senegal joined Angola, Nigeria and Tunisia to represent the continent in the China 2019 showpiece billed for later this year. 

Africa's final ticket for the China 2019 showpiece will be determined over the next few days or hours with Cote d'Ivoire, Central African Republic and Cameroon chasing the best-third placed team from across Groups E and F.

It's Senegal's fifth FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance.

FIBA