Angola reclaimed their throne at AfroBasket on Sunday, August 24, capturing a record 12th title in front of a sold-out home crowd at the 12,700-capacity Kilamba Arena in Luanda.
The hosts dominated Mali 70–43, completing a perfect 6-0 campaign and ending a 12-year wait for continental glory.
From the opening tip, Angola set the tone, never allowing Mali to mount a serious challenge.
By halftime, the visitors trailed 32–20, and in the third quarter, Angola’s lead stretched past 20 points, prompting fans to perform a synchronized Mexican wave. By that point, the outcome was all but sealed.
Childe Dundao was the star of the night, leading all scorers with 16 points and dishing out five assists.
The 5-foot-6 point guard, the shortest player in the tournament, commanded the floor for 33 minutes and drew MVP chants from the crowd, ultimately earning the 2025 AfroBasket Most Valuable Player award. Selton Miguel also contributed in double figures with 12 points.
For Mali, Siriman Kanoute and Aliou Diarra led the scoring with 14 and 11 points, respectively, but their resistance was short-lived.
The team struggled offensively, committing 18 turnovers in the first quarter alone, and were outrebounded 54–36.
Mahamane Coulibaly, a key scoring threat, finished a dismal 1-for-9 from the floor, tallying just two points.
The final quarter saw Mali briefly spark a 5-0 run, but Angola’s relentless intensity and disciplined defense kept the visitors at bay. By containing Mali’s key players, Angola neutralized any chance of a comeback.
Senegal secured third place with a 98–72 win over Cameroon, while Mali finished 4-3 in their first-ever AfroBasket final appearance.
Notably, Mali’s 43 points marked the fewest scored in the tournament in three decades.
After more than a decade without a title, Angola’s champions celebrated in front of their fans, ending the 2025 AfroBasket as the only unbeaten team and restoring their status as Africa’s basketball powerhouse.