ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) – Madagascar took a giant step towards FIBA AfroBasket 2025 after seeing off Egypt on Saturday in a hard-fought game that could have gone either way.
But they held off a late comeback from their opponents to win 82-80.
Although this does not send them directly to Angola, it does improve their record to 2-3, while Egypt sink to 3-2.
If Côte d'Ivoire beat Central African Republic in Group D's second game, then Madagascar qualify for the AfroBasket for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2011.
The game started with an early showdown from Egypt, but was quickly stopped by Madagascar's tight defence.
Ehab Amin gave Egypt a 3-0 lead, but Mathias M'Madi responded with 5 straight points.
Madagascar seemed to have found a new lease of life and were on their way to the top of the table.
Madagascar went into the halftime break with a three-point lead (41-38), but Egypt took the lead at the end of the third quarter (63-58).
However, both teams were level at the start of the fourth quarter, which by this point had become more than decisive.
The final four minutes were a tug-of-war as both teams battled for the final lead.
It took the nerves of Mathias M'Madi to score the points that brought Madagascar level at 80-80. It took nerves of steel for Anthony
TURNING POINT: The game was anyone's until the final buzzer with 6:11 to play and the scoreboard reading 67-67!
While Madagascar had led for most of the game, a surge of pride saw Egypt mount a comeback and take the lead (69-67) when Abdelrahman Mohamed hit two free throws.
Arnol Solondrainy responded with a layup before M'Madi added two more. Egypt captain Youssef Aboushousha missed both free throws. Solondrainy added another layup to make it 73-71 before Ehab Amin tied the game at 73-73.
With 50 seconds left, the score was 78-78! M'Madi scored two points to give his side the lead for good (80-78), but Egypt responded before Rasolomanana set the Palais des Sports ablaze.
HEROES : So many players lived up to the expectations of an entire country.
Leading the way was Sitraka Raharimanantoanina, who had 15 points, 13 rebounds and a record 7 blocks in the game! M'Madi chipped in with 18 points, while Rasolomanana added 11 off the bench.
STATS DON’T LIE: Madagascar coach Jeannot Ravonimbola told his post-match press conference that his charges would not be intimidated by Egypt.
And they did exactly what he promised, coming out on the court with renewed energy.
They outrebounded Egypt 46-41, shared the ball better (20 assists to 18) and scored more points off turnovers (16 to 11).
BOTTOM LINE : Madagascar are now 2-2 and within touching distance of the 2025 AfroBasket.
They have sent a message to the Central African Republic. Sunday's return match between the two countries looks promising.
WHAT THEY SAID : “This victory is fantastic.
"After the defeat against Côte d'Ivoire, we had a team talk and everyone took responsibility. It's a pleasure to come here and win, especially at the Palais des Sports, with the fans always so loud and the atmosphere so special.” - Mathias M’Madi, Madagascar guard.
FIBA