The Tunisia National Basketball team was yesterday evening crowned 2021 AfroBasket champions after beating Côte d’Ivoire 78-75 in Kigali Arena. It is a back-to-back trophy and the 3rd time since 2011 that Tunisia has become Champions of Africa.
Following the 12-days of the unprecedented continental basketball event in Kigali Arena, September 5th, 2021 marked the end of the 30th edition of the AfroBasket with Tunisia asserting its dominance on the continent after defeating Côte d’Ivoire that had a 5-0 winning streak prior to the final. The streak included winning against favorites, Nigeria and Senegal.
The Tunisians successfully defended the title won in 2017, by beating Côte d’Ivoire 78-75 on final, 25-18, 22-16, 18-25, and 13-16 the scores of 4 quarters of the game.
Tunisia Star Salah Mejri was simply incredible for his team. He finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots in the 24 minutes spent on court.
Souleyman Diabate for Côte d’Ivoire was really good with 20 points and 2 assists, but he needed some help from his teammates in order to complete a comeback in the second half, especially with Matt Costello neutralized by Mejri and Zouzoua unable to play. Jean-Francois Kebe added 10 points.
In halftime, the FIBA Africa that was celebrating its 60th anniversary also recognized a trio for writing history at AfroBasket:
Tunisia’s Slimane Radhouane for a record of participating in 9 AfroBaskets, Kenya Morans head coach, Liz Millis as the first female coach at the AfroBasket. Then Stephane Konate, Côté d’Ivoire captain who bid farewell after playing 8 AfroBaskets.
Earlier, Senegal defeated Cape Verde 86-73 to take third place, with 30 points coming from the NBA Star Gogui Dieng. Walter Tavares led Cape Verde with 18. Senegal finished 3rd again as they did in the last edition.
Senegal Power Forward, Gorgui Dieng’s fantastic play throughout the tournament did not go unnoticed, with a spot in the All-Star five. Tunisia’s Omar Obada was also rewarded for his performances in this 2021 AfroBasket as the best PG, earning a spot alongside his compatriot Makram Ben Romdhane on the team. Romdhane, best SG, was later voted as 2021 AfroBasket Most Valuable Player.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Matt Costello was named in tournament-best five together with Cape Verde’s Walter Tavarez. Tavarez was awarded as the best Rebounder too.
The best three-point shooter’s award goes to Angolan Carlos Morais while Gorgui Dieng’s 120 points earned him the best scorer award.
The 2021 AfroBasket host Country, Rwanda finished 11th however they were awarded a FairPlay award.
