Chad closed out the group phase of the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone 4 qualifiers in first place, grinding past Central African Republic 65-54 at the Polideportivo de Malabo on Wednesday to finish 3-1 and secure the top seed into the semifinals.
It was a fittingly scrappy finish to a low-scoring affair. Neither side shot the ball well Chad managed just 37 percent from the field and a rough 42.9 percent from the free-throw line, while Central African Republic were worse still, hitting 31.1 percent overall, only 16.7 percent from three and a dismal 23.5 percent from the stripe. What separated them was the glass and the production of Chad's two leaders.
Junior Djibrine (2008) controlled the paint with a commanding double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, adding two blocks, and Timothee Ndohoudou (2008) knocked down four three-pointers on his way to 15 points. Mahamat Ousmane (2008) chipped in 12 despite a cold shooting night, and Christopher Njerassem was efficient off the bench with 8 points and five boards. Chad held a 52-46 rebounding edge and never let the contest get away despite coughing up 24 turnovers.
Central African Republic leaned heavily on Grace a Dieu Stomny Irving Olona, who poured in a game-high 22 points but needed 24 shots to get there. Japhet Gonofe added 16 and Stephane Habib Kazimo Khondouba grabbed 11 rebounds, but the team's shooting woes proved too much to overcome.
The win lifts Chad to the front of a tight Zone 4 table, level on points with Gabon at 3-1 but holding the top seed for the knockout round. With only one continental berth on offer from Malabo, Chad now stand two wins from a landmark moment: the central African nation is chasing what would be a historic first appearance at the U18 AfroBasket finals, to be held later this year in Cote d'Ivoire.