Seeking redemption after a narrow loss to Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, led by head coach Henrik Rödl, clinched a hard-fought 75-71 victory over the Central African Republic (CAF) to make a 25th AfroBasket appearance.
From 21-23 February at the Palais des Sports Mahamasina in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Group D teams battled for a chance to compete in this year’s prestigious AfroBasket tournament.
Despite struggling with their shooting, Egypt’s dominance in the paint and a strong third-quarter performance proved decisive. The game opened with CAF showing great energy and efficiency, taking a 20-19 lead in the first quarter. Their aggressive rebounding gave them second-chance opportunities, as they outworked Egypt on the glass. Egypt’s offense initially found success attacking inside, but their perimetre shooting remained a concern from the outset.
CAF extended their lead in the second quarter with a strong defensive showing, holding Egypt to just 17 points in the frame. By halftime, CAF led 39-36, having controlled much of the first half.
However, Egypt turned the tide in the third quarter with a defensive resurgence, forcing turnovers and capitalising on transition play. The Pharaohs’ ability to generate offense through fast breaks — outscoring CAF 24-18 in that category — was instrumental in their comeback. Led by Ehab Amin, who contributed 14 points, three assists and a steal, Egypt outscored CAF 23-13 in the quarter, overturning their halftime deficit into a commanding 59-52 lead heading into the final period.
CAF fought back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Egypt 19-16. They finished with a significant 47-32 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds, but their inability to convert second-chance points, combined with Egypt’s defensive pressure, prevented them from completing the comeback.
Despite their victory, Egypt’s shooting inefficiencies were evident. They struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 23.5 per cent from three-point range, and their free-throw shooting (41.2 per cent) kept CAF within striking distance throughout the game. While Egypt dominated in the paint, scoring 42 points compared to CAF’s 20, their inefficiency at the line was a notable weakness.
Defensively, Egypt’s pressure played a crucial role in securing the win. The team recorded 10 steals and forced turnovers that led to 16 points. Their ability to disrupt passing lanes and apply ball pressure helped them build a 17-point lead, the largest of the game.
One of the key differences between the two teams was bench production. Egypt’s reserves contributed 42 points, providing much-needed support when the starters struggled, whereas CAF’s bench managed just five points, placing excessive reliance on their starting lineup. This lack of depth proved costly, particularly in the latter stages of the game.
Though the contest featured seven lead changes, Egypt’s control for over 20 minutes of game time ultimately made the difference. Despite leading for over 16 minutes, CAF could not sustain their advantage once Egypt made second-half adjustments.
CAF will be frustrated with the loss, especially given their superior rebounding and three-point shooting (34.4) per cent. However, their struggles inside the arc (39.3 per cent) and lack of depth ultimately hindered their ability to secure an upset.
While Egypt’s win was hard-earned, they must address their shooting inconsistencies moving forward. Their defensive intensity and transition play remain strengths, but improved efficiency from the free-throw line and three-point range will be critical in upcoming challenges.
Egypt heads to the AfroBasket tournament with a mission of redemption. They were denied a clean sweep in Cairo by Côte d’Ivoire in a heartbreaking 79-76 loss. Leading 72-65 with just under five minutes remaining, they allowed Côte d’Ivoire to go on a 12-0 scoring run, missing a key opportunity to dominate the first round.
Now standing at 2-1, Egypt’s focus is on correcting past mistakes and securing a decisive victory over Côte d’Ivoire. They must also guard against potential upsets from Madagascar and the Central African Republic as they pursue a 25th AfroBasket appearance.
Egypt enters the competition following a strong performance in the Doha International Friendly Basketball Championship, where they were crowned champions for the second consecutive year, finishing ahead of Lebanon and the Philippines.
Coach Rödl relied on the experienced duo of Ehab Amin and Anas Mahmoud. Amin made his return to the squad after missing the February 2024 window and leads the backcourt, while Mahmoud, Egypt’s top rebounder from the first qualification phase, anchors the paint.
However, Egypt was without key guard Amr Al-Gendi, who sustained a collarbone and shoulder joint dislocation in late January during Ahly’s Egyptian Super League match against Gezira. Al-Gendi is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Another notable absence is Patrick Gardner, who played a crucial role in Egypt’s qualification run last year. The 25-year-old averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the 2024 qualifiers, finishing with a team-best 17.3 efficiency rating.
In their previous match against Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt did nearly everything right. They shot 12-for-23 from three-point range, recorded 10 blocks, and dominated large stretches of the game. However, their Achilles’ heel was free-throw shooting, missing 11 of 25 attempts, which ultimately cost them the game.
Alongside Egypt, the following teams have qualified for the 2025 AfroBasket tournament, set to take place in Angola from 12-24 August: DR Congo, South Sudan, Mali, Libya, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Tunisia, Angola, and Guinea.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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