Mali, Tunisia, Angola and Egypt advance into semifinal stage

Mohamed Rassil

Mali - DR Congo 85-58
Mali rallied past DR Congo to clinch their semifinal appearance. Ibrahim Doumbia (202-F-98) recorded 14 points and 6 rebounds to pace the winners. Mali dominated from start to finish. They established a 46:28 halftime lead. Mali held DR Congo to just 30 points in the second half and marched to the win. Ousmane Traore (192-F-98) had 13 points in the victory. Jospin Kakule (98) responded with 16 points for DR Congo.

Rwanda - Tunisia 51-68
Tunisia shocked the hosting nation of Rwanda to seal their semifinal appearance in Kigali. Mohamed Rassil (198-F-98) provided 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the winners. Tunisia got to a quick start. They secured a 24:13 lead after ten minutes. Rwanda pulled within 6 points at the final intermission. But Tunisia held the hosts to just 4 points in the fourth frame to seal the win. Wassef Methnani (198-F/C-98) had 14 points for the winners. Chester Kayonga (194-SG-98) responded with 17 points for Rwanda.

Angola - Ivory Coast 85-47
Angola cruised past Ivory Coast into the semifinals in Kigali. Bruno Fernandes (206-F-98) scored 16 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and made 6 blocks to lead the winners. Angola piled up a 44:26 halftime lead. They went on a 30:7 run in the third term and never looked back en route to the win. Silvio Sousa (203-C-98) had 15 points in the victory. Adama Camara (192-PG-98) replied with 16 points and 8 boards for Ivory Coast.

Egypt - Algeria 82-74
Egypt defeated Algeria to advance into the semifinal stage in Kigali. Esam Mostafa (196-PF-99) posted 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the winners. Egypt piled up a 35:28 halftime lead. They extended the gap at 14-point mark at the final intermission. Algeria sank 29 points in the fourth quarter but could not avoid the defeat. Tarek Raafat (187-G-99) and Ahmed Khalaf (206-F/C-99) netted 14 points each in the victory. Mohamed Boussad (180-PG-98) responded with 21 points for Algeria.