Reigning FIBA Africa Under 16 Girls Champions Mali made a big statement regarding its title repeat ambitions by grabbing a huge win in the opening run of the 2019 edition.
The competition which commenced on Sunday, July 28 in Rwanda’s posh Kigali Arena had the Malians score a 108-32 win over Uganda.
The tournament is taking place in the newly built Arena which was opened just a few days before the start of the tournament. The facility will host the 2021 Male Championship at the senior level.
Mariam Coulibaly was the star in the impressive win as she recorded 26 points with 12 coming in the first half; Mali led 54-12 at the break.
Host Rwanda couldn’t generate enough points to beat regional rival Tanzania in a 36-42 loss before falling 49-68 to Angola in the follow up game on Monday.
In other results, Egypt beat Uganda 80-46 and Angola recorded its second win in the competition thanks to a 76-54 win over Mozambique.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
