MAD - Nigeria, Cameroon still unbeaten

ANTANANARIVO (Afrobasket) - Nigeria and Cameroon went into the Afrobasket looking to rebound from two years ago when each failed to reach the podium.

So far, so good for the two countries that ooze with talent because on Day 5 of the tournament in Antananarivo, each remained unbeaten and clinched first place in their respective groups.

The Nigerians rolled to victory on Sunday over hosts Madagascar and Cameroon edged powerhouse Ivory Coast.

The 2.08m center Olumide Oyedeji had 17 points and 13 rebounds and Derrick Obasohan poured in a game-high 21 points as the Nigerians romped to a 112-81 Group A triumph over Madagascar, who suffered a third successive defeat at the Palais des Sports in Antananarivo.

American-born naturalized Magalasy Charles Ramsdell led his adopted country with 18 points and six rebounds.

Sunday's last game was a thriller between Cameroon and Ivory Coast in Group C.

In Libya two years ago, Ivory Coast defeated Cameroon in the Semi-Finals but this time, it was a different story.

Gaston Essengue led Cameroon with 18 points and nine rebounds and they prevailed 76-70.

Cameroon won all three of their pool games ahead of Ivory Coast, Egypt and South Africa.

In Sunday's opener, a Group A battle between Mali and Mozambique, the clash went to double overtime.

Mali, despite turning the ball over 36 times, won 72-69.

Waly Coulibaly, who had a game-high 15 points, struck from behind the arc - his team's only three-ball in nine attempts - with just two minutes to go to put Mali in a 59-57 lead.

Mozambique's Custodio Muchate (21 points, nine rebounds) knotted the game at 59-59 with a minute to go and the game went to overtime.

After both sides scored six points in the first extra period, a Cheick Soumaouro basket in the lane for Mali tied the contest at 69-69.

Modibo Niakate then sealed the victory by making three free-throws.

In Group C, following a surprising victory over Ivory Coast two days earlier, Egypt managed another surprise, this time a 71-68 defeat to South Africa.

Masego Loate made three of four shots from long range helped the South Africans rebound from heavy defeats to Ivory Coast (105-53) and Cameroon (87-65).

South Africa's seven-footer Christopher Gabriel had a game-high 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Egyptian Ramy Gunady had 21 points and five rebounds in defeat.

FIBA