The competition which 11 teams featuring ended with Host nation Mali clinching a tough win over West African powerhouse Senegal. Ivory Coast pulled out at the last instance forcing organizers to proceed with a country short in Group B.
Fousseyni Drame scored 19 points to pace all players in scoring as Senegal duo Biram Faye and Amar Sylla scored 17 points apiece.
Given Mali’s dominance in the same category in the Female division with seven titles, the title is Mali’s first in the Male division.
Both countries have qualified to next year’s Under 19 World Cup and Mali Guard Siriman Kanoute was named Most Valuable Player in the tournament.
Egypt placed third courtesy an 89-78 win over Angola to capture the bronze medal; the two teams featured in the final game at the last edition. Algeria ended the competition in the last spot.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
YawMintYM on Twitter
