Senegal became the first country to qualify for the 2021 AfroBasket semifinals after a 79-74 win against Angola on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. The Senegal crucial victory was powered by a double-double from big man Gorgui Dieng of Atlanta Hawks.
Angola started the game with high intensity and left their opponent no chance to settle in as they finished the 1st quarter with a 5 points lead. Carlos Morais was unstoppable as he dropped 14 points (5/5FG, 4/4 3FG) in the 1st quarter. He scored these points in a period of 5 minutes after coming off the bench.
In the 2nd quarter, The Angolan shooting guard, Carlos Morais was held and Senegal controlled the whole quarter through the help of their NBA star Gorgui Dieng. Despite losing Maurice Ndour due to an injury, the Senegal Lions finished the 1st half on a high note. 44-33.
The 11-time titleholders, Angola didn’t want to let it go as they tried to cut the deficit in the 3rd quarter and scored 22 points while Senegal made 17 points. At the moment the difference was at 6 points in favor of the West Africans.
The score was too tight in the last quarter of the game until the last minute when the scores were square 74 each. A controversial decision was made after an official video review to hand Senegal possession that resulted in a basket that shaped the results of the game. The final score was 79-74 and Terranga Lions become the first Country to secure a semi-final ticket.
Senegalese guard Brancou Badio led his team, scoring 14 points while power forward, Gorgui Dieng posted a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds to help Senegal seal the victory over Angola in Kigali Arena.
Angolan Sharp-shooter Carlos Morais poured in 28 points however, it was not quite enough for the 2013 AfroBasket MVP to help his team advance to the semi-final. Though he shot just 11-for-18 from the field in his last 2021 AfroBasket game.
The win for Senegal raises the prospect for them to add this African Championship title to the fifth won in 1999 at their home soil, Dakar.
They will first have to get past Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-final, Côte d’Ivoire edged Guinea 98-50 in Wednesday’s other quarter-final.
