By Macdella Eyong Bessong
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
The Basketball Lions of Cameroon opened the third window of African qualifiers with a hard-fought home win, keeping their push for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar on track.
Jordan Bayehe and Jeremiah Hill led Cameroon with 14 points each, providing the scoring punch when Cape Verde threatened to cut the gap in the fourth quarter.
Staged at the Japoma Sports Complex in Douala, Cameroon dictated tempo in both halves of the game, coupled with strong defensive stretch that broke Cape Verde’s rhythm and gave the Lions space to infiltrate.
Patrick Lima put the visitors up 9-8 in the first quarter, but Cameroon responded immediately to take the lead by the end of the first quarter and this dominance continued for the rest of the game.
Fabien Ateba and Eboua greatly contributed to the first quarter dominance. But Cameroon’s most outstanding player in this encounter would later Jeremiah Hill who scored 14 points, five rebounds and a team-high seven assists. Only Beyehe matched the 14 points.
For the visitors, Ivan Almeida stood out, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals but his efforts were insufficient to outsmart a more resistant Cameroonian side.
Tonight’s result keeps Cameroon in strong position ahead of the rest of the window. And as a matter of fact, Both Cameroon and group leaders South Sudan have already secured spots in the second round, after wins over Cape Verde and Libya respectively.
Cameroon shares Group A with South Sudan, Cape Verde, and Libya and Cameroon is hosting
Second leg of Group A matches for this window which will run from July 2-5.
Cameroon will face Libya on July 4, before wrapping up against giants South Sudan on July 5.
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