Madagascar claim men’s and women’s gold at the ANOCA Zone 7 Games

MAHÉ (Seychelles) - Madagascar held on to its supremacy in Zone 7 3x3 basketball at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Games, hosted by the Seychelles last week.

The competition, which brought together athletes under the age of 18, saw the Malagasy players come out on top in both the men's and women's events. They put in a perfect run, from the group phase to the final, to claim the gold medals.

Here's a recap of the 2024 ANOCA Games.

MEN

The Malagasy team, comprising Loïc Andrianjatovo, Ulrich Voahasy, Laurentin Tahimana Morailily and Harinosy A'Ranty Rasetriarivony, were masters of their craft from start to finish.

In the four-team tournament, which brought together Madagascar, hosts Seychelles, Comoros and Mauritius, the Malagasy players stood out as favorites.

They justified their status by kicking off their campaign in the one-pool tournament by defeating Mauritius 21-0, followed by a second victory over Comoros, 13-8.

Seychelles were no match for Madagascar either, as the Malagasy won 20-7 before being handing the hosts a 21-3 defeat in the Semi-Final.

Meanwhile, Comoros qualified for the Final by beating Seychelles 13-11, then Mauritius in overtime 16-15, before losing again to the Mauritians in the Semi-finals 17-13.

The final was almost a one-sided affair as Madagascar stormed to a 21-9 victory. Mauritius rounded off the podium with a 12-9 victory over the Seychelles.

WOMEN

Just like their male counterparts, Madagascar's women basketball players - Estelle Voahangy, Fideline Lyciana Rasoarivelo, Harena Henintsoa Randriamasimanana and Mbola Sahaza Rasolofonjanahary - dominated the 3x3 tournament head and shoulders.

They too put in a perfect performance, winning all five of their matches, including the final, at the expense of the Seychelles.

The Malagasy team can boast just two points from five matches. They set the tone with a scathing 21-0 win over Mauritius, before going on to defeat the Comoros 21-1. Against the Seychelles, they picked up another 21-0 victory.

In the Semi-Finals, Estelle Voahangy and her team produced a perfect copy (21-1), while the Seychelles qualified for the final thanks to a 7-1 victory over Mauritius.

But the Malagasy once again proved too strong for the Seychellois, winning 21-0 for the third time in the tournament, this time in less than ten minutes.

As in the men's competition, Mauritius rounded off the podium with a 12-3 win over Comoros.

FIBA