Egypt win historic double at FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup 2019

Egypt dominated the third edition of the FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup in Kampala, Uganda on November 8-10, 2019.

In the men’s category, Egypt defeated the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final (21-12) to win their first-ever FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup title. Mido Mohamed had a performance for the ages in the final, scoring no less than 15 points. He led all scorers with 49 points and was a no-brainer MVP of the competition.

Mido, who is only 23 years old, was joined on the team of the tournament by Arsene Mwana, who led the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the silver medal. Mamadou Keita, who guided Mali to the bronze medal, completed the trio.

In the women’s category, Mali fell just short of an incredible three-peat. Egypt defeated the 2-time winners 18-15 in the championship game. It was only Mali’s second loss in 3×3 Africa Cup history in 16 games in the women’s category.

Egypt star Soraya Mohamed was on another level in Kampala. She paced Egypt with 8 points in the final, including  a clutch step-back 2-pointer with 15 seconds to go to ice the game.

She put on an absolute show at the Africa Cup, topped all scorers and was logically named MVP of the tournament. Mali’s top scorer Aïssata Maiga and Ritah Imanishimwe (Uganda) were also included on the team of the tournament.

Imanishimwe led the Ugandan hosts to bronze with a 21-15 win over Nigeria in the third-place game.

Egypt completed a perfect weekend as their men’s U18 team also won the inaugural edition of the FIBA 3×3 U18 Africa Cup (Mali won in the women’s category).

Natalie Mwangale (Kenya’s women) won gold at the Shoot-out contest. Godwin David (Nigeria’s men) got silver while Djack Kapongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo’s men) struck bronze.

Uganda will again host the FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup in 2020 and 2021.

ABOUT FIBA 3×3

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3×3 World Tour and national-team FIBA 3×3 World & Continental Cups. On June 9, 2017, 3×3 was added to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

FINAL STANDINGS

MEN

1. Egypt
2. Democratic Republic of the Congo
3. Mali
4. Madagascar
5. Uganda
6. Kenya
7. Nigeria
8. Botswana
9. Niger
10. Benin
11. Burundi
12. Mauritius

WOMEN

1. Egypt
2. Mali
3. Uganda
4. Nigeria
5. Kenya
6. Botswana
7. Burundi
8. Benin
9. Mauritius
10. Djibouti