FIBA Africa 3×3 championship: Clean swoop for Mali as Nigeria fall short to the hosts again
Few weeks after the D’Tigers lost 65-77 to Afrobasket 2017 hosts Tunisia in Tunis, the National under-18 boys and girls teams lost to hosts Mali at the FIBA Africa 3×3 championship in both categories.
Mali’s boys and girls claimed gold medals in the second edition of the Tournoi International 3X3 Basketball U18 – Trophée Salamatou Maiga on September 24, 2017, in Mali’s capital city of Bamako.
In the rematch of last year’s Final, Mali dominated Nigeria 21-17.
Siriman Kanoute, the MVP of the FIBA U18 African Champions 2017, led the way with a game-high 17 points, while his teammate Oumar Drame contributed 4 points.
Nigeria’s Ishau Abiola who led all the players in scoring (30 points) was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
In the Third-Place game, Benin knocked out neighbors Togo 17-12 to secure their first-ever medal in this youth tournament.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Mali retained their title after beating Nigeria 9-7 in the rematch of the Final of the inaugural edition.
Mali’s Mariam Drame who sparked the hosts with 18 points was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Final Standings Men:
1- Mali
2- Nigeria
3- Benin
4- Togo
Final Standings Women :
1- Mali
2- Nigeria
3- Togo
