Hosts Angola survive Guinea's scare to top Group C

Hosts and 11-time champions Angola defeated Guinea 84-68 on Thursday to top Group C at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket men's tournament. Guinea, buoyed by an 88-80 upset of Africa's top-ranked South Sudan, carried their strong form into the game and led 34-33 at halftime. The third quarter remained close until Selton Miguel (193-G-2000, college: Maryland)'s 3-point pull-up jumper and Kevin Kokila (204-F/C-2001)'s dunk swung the momentum Angola's way. Despite Guinea's accuracy from beyond the arc, frequent fouls gave Angola multiple trips to the free-throw line. The Black Antelopes sealed the game with a dominant 15-0 run in the final quarter, securing their second consecutive group-phase victory. Bruno Fernando (207-C-1998, college: Maryland), Angola's 2.06-meter center and the first player from the country drafted into the NBA, recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. "We were able to come out there and make some adjustments at halftime, limit some of their players from being able to get to whatever spot that they were getting in the first half, and obviously pick up our defense as well as force them to 21 turnovers. That's a huge point of emphasis for us," Fernando said.

In the other Group C game, South Sudan beat Libya 115-52 for their first win, with six players, including Nuni Omot, scoring in double figures. South Sudan will face Angola on Saturday in a highly anticipated clash.
In Group D, last year's third-place finishers Senegal fell to Egypt 91-77 while Mali defeated Uganda 85-72.
Courtesy of: english.news.cn