Senegal defeats Mali 97-71 in FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers, reclaims top spot in Group F
Senegal's national basketball team, the Lions, secured a decisive 97-71 victory over Mali on Sunday at the Dakar Arena, concluding their fourth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers. Under the guidance of coach Desagana Diop, the Lions established an early lead, finishing the first quarter 25-12 and maintaining a 16-point advantage at halftime with a score of 46-30. This win followed a hard-fought victory against Angola 84-82 the previous day. Mali attempted a comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 12 points, but Senegal quickly regained control with key contributions from Mouhamadou Gu猫ye and Jean-Jacques Boissy. The third quarter ended 69-50, with Senegal dominating the final period. Boissy notably scored three three-pointers in the last quarter, and young Amadou Wade made an impressive debut, scoring seven points and receiving an ovation from the crowd. Despite some on-court tensions, Senegal maintained a significant lead, reaching a 25-point difference 92-67 with two minutes remaining. This victory is particularly significant as Mali had eliminated Senegal in the semi-finals of the last AfroBasket in August 2025. More importantly, this win, combined with a favorable result for C么te d'Ivoire, allows Senegal to reclaim the first position in Group F. With one qualifying window remaining, the Lions are well-placed to secure their spot in the 2027 World Cup, as the top two teams from each group and the best third-placed team from the African phase will qual
