The FIBA Africa Championship enters its quarterfinal phase today in Antananarivo.
Nigeria will face the Central African Republic in the curtain raiser. The Nigerians were hardly tested in the Round-of-16 as they breezed past Chad 84-46. It was Nigeria's fourth-straight win in the tournament. CAF, meanwhile, eliminated Egypt 71-66 in the last 16.
Nigeria, which has never won the FIBA Africa crown, will bank on NBA veterans Ime Udoka and Olumide Oyedeji. Also expected to step up are Derrick Obasohan, Ejike Ugboaja and Ezenwa Ukeagu.
CAF, meanwhile, will rely on leading scorer Michael Mokongo, Régis Koundjia, Max Kouguere and former Clemson University star James Mays.
Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire lock horns in the second game. The Senegalese have yet to lose a game in the tournament and are looking for their first FIBA Africa title since 1997.
Out to lead the Lions are Mamadou and Maleye Ndoye, Mouhammad Faye, and big men Malick Badiane and Papa Ndiaga Diasse.
The Ivorians, meanwhile, will bank on tournament assists leader Mouloukou Diabate, scoring machine Guy Edi and big man Mohamed Kone.
The day's third game between North African teams Tunisia and Morocco is also expected to be a thrilling affair. The Tunisians are unbeaten in the tournament and are coming off a 94-50 demolition of South Africa in the Round-of-16. Big man Macram Romdhane is the player to watch for the Tunisians along with Radhouane Slimane, Marouan Kechrid and Marouan Laghnej. Abderrahim Najah, Abdelhakim Zouita and Kamal Hachad are Morocco's top guns.
In the main game, Cameroon will face Angola. The Cameroonians are also undefeated and are coming off an 85-52 demolition of Togo in the last 16.
Parfait Bitee is Cameroon's star player. Other notable names in the squad are Franck Ndongo, Gaston Essengué and former UCLA Bruin Alfred Aboya.
Angola, meanwhile, is determined to win the FIBA Africa crown for the seventh straight time despite losing to Senegal earlier in the tournament. Out to lead the 10-time champions are Carlos Morais, two-time tournament MVP Joaquim Gomes and young center Valdélicio Joaquim.
Angola, however, will be no longer be coached by Michel Gomez tonight. The Frenchman was fired following the team’s sluggish performance in the group stage and Round-of-16. Assistant coach Jaime Covilha has been named as his temporary replacement.
FIBA Africa Championship Day 9 Fixtures
25.08.2011
10:30 | BASKETBALL
Nigeria v Central African Republic
13:00 | BASKETBALL
Senegal v Côte d'Ivoire
15:30 | BASKETBALL
Tunisia v Morocco
18:00 | BASKETBALL
Cameroon v Angola
