Senegal secured their first win of the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers on Saturday, overturning a halftime deficit to beat reigning African champions Angola 84-82 at the Dakar Arena.
After an opening loss to Egypt, Desagana Diop's side came out aggressive and stayed close through a first quarter that ended 20-18 in Angola's favour, despite six made three-pointers from Selton Miguel. Senegal edged ahead 48-46 early in the second period before Miguel's sixth long-range hit put Angola back in front. Abou Gakou then added two threes to stretch the lead to 58-52. The Lions clawed back through Badio, whose three-pointer tied the game at 61-61, and the teams went to halftime level at 63-63 after Senegal won the second quarter 20-17.
The third quarter stayed tight, with neither side able to pull clear. The decisive stretch came early in the fourth when Jean-Jacques Boissy was ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul. Senegal pressed on, and Badio answered Childe Dundao, the reigning AfroBasket MVP, with clutch scoring to keep the Lions within reach.
Locked at 79-79 with two minutes left, Badio buried a late three-pointer to put Senegal ahead for good in a frantic finish. The Lions held on 84-82, bouncing back from their Egypt defeat before facing Mali on Sunday.
