Mali show wetin dem fit do for di FIBA Women Basketball World Cup, as dem beat Spain 82-73 for dia second Group A match for Berlin. Di result don shake di pool and e give di Aigles Dames one real chance to reach di quarter-finals.
To beat Spain no be small thing for women basketball, because La Roja don dey among di top European nations for dis sport for long time and dem dey always show for di final stages of major tournaments. Mali nine-point gap show say dem get strong defence and steady offence from start to finish.
Di win na di result of di long work wey di Malian Basketball Federation don do, as dem don invest for youth categories and dem dey always reach finals for U16 and U19 African level. Dis young players wey dem don build don start to play for di senior side, and na wetin dey allow Mali compete physically and technically with di top teams for world, with Nigeria and Senegal join body.
For di group standings, dis victory carry big weight for di qualification calculation, especially as dem take am against one direct rival for di knockout places. Mali go enter dia remaining matches with more confidence and one better point average.
Quarter-final place go be history for any African nation for dis level of di competition. Mali go continue Group A action for Berlin next.
