The African-based players of the Morocco national Basketball team on Sunday made history as they defeated tournament favourite, Ivory Coast to win their first-ever FIBA AfroCan trophy.
It was all funfair and celebration on Sunday evening for Morocco as it appears they are gradually taking their dominance of sports in Africa from football to Basketball.
The local arm of the country’s national Basketball team pipped Ivory Coast 78-76 to emerge winners of the FIBA AfroCan finals in Angola.
Ivory Coast started strongly, scaling to a 25-22 lead while Morocco came back to take a 43-36 lead at the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter also saw Morocco extend the lead before one last attempt from Ivory Coast to turn things around.
However, it was too late in the end as Morocco secured a two-point victory.
Mohamed Choua starred with 13 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks for the winners.
“We were tired from our season back home but we found our rhythm while playing the games,” Morocco coach Labib El Hamrani said.
“When we reached the Quarter-Finals, I told my players that we’re out to win the trophy and that we had no other choice than to bring back the trophy home.”
Moroccan guard Kevin Franceschi was declared the MVP of the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Rwanda rounded off their first appearance at the tournament in style by defeating DR Congo 82-73 in the third-place game.
The game was balanced with both sides taking turns to score until the third quarter when Rwanda took the lead and won the frame 25-11.
Dieudonne Ndizeye was the standout player for the Rwandans, contributing 22 points and four rebounds.
The win means they have qualified for the next edition of the FIBA AfroCan.