Cameroon’s Dominance in First Quarter Leads to Victory Over Gabon

Cameroon defeated Gabon 76-58 in their FIBA AfroBasket 2025 qualifying opener, demonstrating a strong first quarter. Philibert Ateba’s effective shooting aided Cameroon’s substantial early lead, while Gabon struggled to maintain competitiveness despite a stronger second half. Both teams recognized the need for improvement as they progress in the tournament.

In a compelling start to their FIBA AfroBasket 2025 qualifying campaign, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions triumphed over Gabon with a final score of 76-58. The match was characterized by contrasting performances across its halves, particularly highlighted by Cameroon’s dominant first quarter, where they built a substantial early lead. Philibert Ateba showcased remarkable shooting prowess, helping propel Cameroon to a commanding 28-12 advantage at the quarter’s close. Despite a spirited effort from Gabon in subsequent quarters, Cameroon’s strong first half ultimately secured their victory, setting a positive tone for the competition ahead.

The second quarter saw Gabon perform better than the first, as they limited Cameroon’s scoring to 22 points and managed to net 18 themselves, narrowing the halftime gap to 50-30. The critical 20-point lead established in the first half allowed Cameroon to maintain control, even when challenged by Gabon’s comeback attempt in the second half. The game concluded with a final quarter score of 12-8 in favor of Cameroon, confirming their victory.

Notable performances came from Philibert Ateba, who, despite spending less than twelve minutes on the court, completed four of six three-point attempts, ensuring that Cameroon’s early momentum remained unchallenged. Likewise, Tamenang Choh led the team in scoring with 13 points while also contributing significantly with rebounds and facilitates. The statistical disparity, particularly Gabon’s shooting accuracy of merely 18.42% on three-point attempts, proved detrimental to their efforts to reconcile the score.

Both coaches reflected on their teams’ performances post-game. Coach Alfred Aboya of Cameroon acknowledged the need for continued improvement, specifically in rebounding and limiting turnovers. In contrast, Gabon’s coach Wilfried Cédric Dongo highlighted his team’s need to be more aggressive and to execute their game plan more effectively given the competitive nature of the match.

The FIBA AfroBasket tournament is an important continental competition showcasing African basketball talent. The qualifying rounds serve as a precursor to the main event, measuring teams’ skills and strategies. This match was particularly significant as it pitted Cameroon, the higher-ranked team, against a lower-ranked Gabon, and set the stage for future group matches. The performance of teams here can greatly influence their momentum and confidence moving forward in the tournament.

Cameroon began their FIBA AfroBasket 2025 qualifying journey on a winning note against Gabon, displaying impressive early-game dominance that secured their victory. Despite a stronger showing from Gabon in the latter parts of the game, the significant first-half lead proved to be decisive. Both teams expressed reflections on their performances, acknowledging areas needing improvement as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the tournament.

Original Source: www.fiba.basketball