LUANDA, Angola – Angola has won its 12th men’s Afrobasket title, defeating Mali in the final on Sunday, August 24, in Luanda.
The tournament also saw Mali reach a historic first-ever final, while Senegal secured the bronze medal.
In front of a home crowd at the Kilamba Arena, the Palancas Negras dominated Mali with a final score of 70-43. This victory marks Angola’s 12th continental title and its first since 2013. Led by the tournament’s MVP, point guard Childe Dundao, the Angolans went undefeated with a perfect record of six wins.
Mali, who had a stunning run to reach its first-ever final, fought hard but couldn’t overcome the home team’s strength. Despite the loss, the Eagles emerged from the tournament having made a major statement by defeating powerhouse Senegal in the semifinals and establishing themselves as a rising force in African basketball.
After their semifinal loss to Mali, Senegal bounced back to claim the bronze medal with a decisive 98-72 victory over Cameroon. The game was highlighted by a record-breaking performance from Senegalese point guard Jean-Jacques Boissy, who scored an incredible 40 points, a new Afrobasket record. This bronze medal is Senegal’s third consecutive, solidifying its position as a consistent and top-tier team in the region.
Brancou Badio of Senegal, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, reflected on their third-place finish, stating, “I do not consider this third-place finish a defeat; I prefer to say that we learned a lot.” Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Fabien Ateba expressed his team’s disappointment at finishing fourth, noting the emotional and physical toll of being so close to the podium.
The 2025 Afrobasket confirmed Angola’s dominance, Mali’s emergence, and Senegal’s continued consistency, making it one of the most memorable tournaments of the decade.
