(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
AfroBasket 2025 Semifinals: Angola, Cameroon, Senegal, and Mali Battle for Glory
The spotlight is firmly on Luanda, Angola, as the African basketball championship reaches its decisive stage. After weeks of thrilling matchups across Luanda and Moçâmedes, only four nations remain in contention for the AfroBasket 2025 crown.
With Tunisia, the defending champions, eliminated in the Round of 16 by Cape Verde, Africa is guaranteed a new champion this year.
Mali vs Senegal – August 23, 2025 | 16:00 Local Time (GMT+1)
FIBA Rankings
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Mali: No. 12 in Africa (83rd Worldwide)
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Senegal: No. 8 in Africa (47th Worldwide)
This clash marks the ninth meeting between Mali and Senegal in the past decade. The winner will secure a place in the AfroBasket finals for the first time in years.
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Recent Form: Senegal enters the semifinals with a 4–1 record, while Mali stands at 3–2.
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Head-to-Head History: Senegal has won most of the recent encounters, including their latest Group D victory (80–70 on August 16).
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Key Stats:
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Senegal averages 83 points per game vs. Mali’s 77.
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Senegal has a stronger rebounding record (55% vs. 49%).
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Mali has been more efficient from the three-point line (31% vs. 24%).
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Players to Watch:
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Aliou Diarra (Mali) – A two-time Basketball Africa League Defensive Player of the Year, leading his team across multiple categories.
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Brancou Badio (Senegal) – The driving force behind Senegal’s run so far.
Angola vs Cameroon – August 23, 2025 | 19:00 Local Time (GMT+1)
FIBA Rankings
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Angola: No. 3 in Africa (33rd Worldwide)
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Cameroon: No. 9 in Africa (64th Worldwide)
This is one of the most anticipated showdowns of the tournament. Angola and Cameroon have faced off in several memorable encounters, including the famous 2007 AfroBasket Final, where Angola lifted the trophy, and the nail-biting 2011 quarterfinal, which ended 84–83 in Angola’s favor.
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Recent Form: Cameroon enters the semifinals averaging 85.6 points per game, while Angola posts 81.3 points.
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Rebounds: Cameroon leads with 44.4 boards per game, compared to Angola’s 40.
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Efficiency: Cameroon converts 44% of their shots from the field, slightly better than Angola’s 41%.
Players to Watch:
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Childe Dundao (Angola) – Team’s leading scorer at 16.8 points per game.
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Jeremiah Hill (Cameroon) – Averaging 17 points per game, Cameroon’s offensive spearhead.
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Bruno Fernando (Angola, NBA) – A dominant rebounder at 7.8 per game.
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Yves Missi (Cameroon, NBA – New Orleans Pelicans) – Leads all semifinalists with 8.3 rebounds per game.
Angola’s depth could be the difference-maker, with their bench contributing 41.5 points per game, nearly double Cameroon’s 23.4.
