Jeremy Nzeulie (CMR) Mali v Cameroon, Afrobasket 2015 , Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 19 August 2015
RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics came a bit closer into view for Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon and Tunisia as they each opened their AfroBasket 2015 campaign on a winning note on Wednesday in Rades.
There is only one automatic spot for Africans for next year's Games and Egypt - who had a poor start to the tournament a couple of years ago - made sure to start strong demolishing Gabon 96-49 in Group C's first game of the day.
RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics came a bit closer into view for Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon and Tunisia as they each opened their AfroBasket 2015 campaign on a winning note on Wednesday in Rades.
There is only one automatic spot for Africans for next year's Games and Egypt - who had a poor start to the tournament a couple of years ago - made sure to start strong demolishing Gabon 96-49 in Group C's first game of the day.
Point guard Ehab Amin, who last starred for his country at the 2012 FIBA U19 World Championship in Kaunas, Lithuania, played a crucial role off the bench.
Although Amin ignited Egypt's offense with a game-high 4 assists and added 11 points, it was shooting guard Ibrahim El Gammal who grabbed the limelight with a game-high 14 points.
Gabon resisted the first quarter of the game, but a succession of poor offensive plays, which played a part in their 34 percent field goal shooting, proved costly for them in their return to the AfroBasket after a decade-long absence.
The win means the Egyptians share top honours in Group C with Cameroon, who saw off Mali 70-56.
Former University of Miami standout Kenny Kadji, who made his international with Cameroon, led all scorers with 17 points off the bench, and provided crucial defensive support.
In the second game of the day, both Chamberlain Oguchi and Al-Farouq Aminu inspired Nigeria to an 88-63 victory over Group A opponent the Central African Republic (CAF).
Although Portland Trail Blazers new recruit Al-Farouq Aminu finished with a team-high 15 points, Oguchi played a pivotal role with 14 points.
After the game, Nigeria's head coach Will Voigt told FIBA.com: "It was a first good game for us. They really pressured, and tried to disrupt you with their physical play. That was good for us in terms challenging our execution.
We are just trying to get better every game. - Voigt
"There is plenty of things for us to improve on, but all in all I thought that was a good day."
In the highly anticipated debut of the host nation, local fans saw Makram Ben Romdhane come up with a game-high 24-point performance as Tunisia beat Uganda 77-55.
Stanley Ocitti led Uganda with 35 points, while Stephen Omwony added with 15 points for the only East Africa team in the tournament.
Thursday will see Groups B and D in action.
Although Amin ignited Egypt's offense with a game-high 4 assists and added 11 points, it was shooting guard Ibrahim El Gammal who grabbed the limelight with a game-high 14 points.
Gabon resisted the first quarter of the game, but a succession of poor offensive plays, which played a part in their 34 percent field goal shooting, proved costly for them in their return to the AfroBasket after a decade-long absence.
The win means the Egyptians share top honours in Group C with Cameroon, who saw off Mali 70-56.
Former University of Miami standout Kenny Kadji, who made his international with Cameroon, led all scorers with 17 points off the bench, and provided crucial defensive support.
In the second game of the day, both Chamberlain Oguchi and Al-Farouq Aminu inspired Nigeria to an 88-63 victory over Group A opponent the Central African Republic (CAF).
Although Portland Trail Blazers new recruit Al-Farouq Aminu finished with a team-high 15 points, Oguchi played a pivotal role with 14 points.
After the game, Nigeria's head coach Will Voigt told FIBA.com: "It was a first good game for us. They really pressured, and tried to disrupt you with their physical play. That was good for us in terms challenging our execution.
We are just trying to get better every game. - Voigt
"There is plenty of things for us to improve on, but all in all I thought that was a good day."
In the highly anticipated debut of the host nation, local fans saw Makram Ben Romdhane come up with a game-high 24-point performance as Tunisia beat Uganda 77-55.
Stanley Ocitti led Uganda with 35 points, while Stephen Omwony added with 15 points for the only East Africa team in the tournament.
Thursday will see Groups B and D in action.
By: FIBA.com
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