Antananarivo (21st FIBA Africa Championship for Women) – Defending champion, Mali came back from near elimination to beat Angola by 70-60 points after over-time.
Mali started the game by picking the first two quarters 15-12 and 14-12 points to take a 29-24 points lead.
The Angolan fought in the third quarter not wanting to give up easily having at the back of their mind that it was at the same stage of the championship that they lost to the defending champion, Mali in 2007 in Dakar, Senegal, they pick the quarter by 19-08n points to move into the last quarter with a six points advantage of 43-37 points.
Faced with imminent elimination and being denied a right to defend the title she won in 2007 Mali propelled by reigning Africa Most valuable Player, Hamchetou Maiga came out strongly in the fourth quarter to stop the Angolan incursion to tie the game at 57 points apiece after winning the fourth quarter by 20-14 points forcing the game to go into over-time of five minute.
Mali took the advantage of the foul situation of the Angolan to win the game at 70-60 points, thus setting up a repeat of 2007 final battle against Senegal billed for 17.30 hours on Sunday
Djene Diawara led the floor with a double double figure of 16 points and 10 rebounds, captain Hamchetou Maiga contributed 18 points while Djenedou Sissoko added 12 points for her side hard earned victory
Angolan forward, Nassecela Mauricio led her team with 19 points and 5 rebounds, Irene Guerreiro added 16 points.
Angola will now engage Cote d’Ivoire for the third place match at 14.00 hours in Palais Des Sports, Antananarivo, Madagascar.