On day two of the 2020 IWBF Afro Paralympic Qualifiers, South Africa men staged strong comeback to claim second win, Morocco got their first win and Algeria women remained undefeated.
Game 4 - Egypt vs Morocco (Men)
Morocco looked to bounce back from their double over-time loss against Algeria yesterday at the 2020 Afro Paralympic Qualifiers in Johannesburg, as they came out with renewed energy and aggression against Egypt, who were also looking for their first win of the tournament. Morocco’s speed on offence caused Egypt problems as they opened up a 10-point lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was tied, 13-13, keeping the margin at ten points going into the half-time break.
The third quarter saw Morocco take control of the game pushing out to a 17-point lead, and despite Egypt winning the fourth, 19-17, Morocco had ensured they had their first win of the 2020 IWBF Afro Paralympic Qualifiers, 67-52.
Morocco were more clinical throughout with their finishing, shooting at 42% compared to Egypt’s 36%, but it was Egypt’s Ashraf Amar that led all scorers with 17 points, Morocco’s Aissa Falempe scoring 15 points, and Rida Maataoui and Zouhair Challat had 12 points each.
Ahmed Amer of Egypt challenged by Zouhair Challat (r) and Amine Moukhariq of Morocco during the 2020 IWBF Afro Paralympic Qualifiers Men match between Egypt and Morocco at the Mandeville Sports Centre, Johannesburg on the 02 March 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Game 5 - South Africa vs Algeria (Women)
Algeria secured their second win over South Africa in a well executed defensive display.
In a tight opening quarter both teams kept each others scoring opportunities limited as Algeria opened up a slight advantage, 13-8. This was extended in the second as Algeria went on a 10-0 run at the end of the quarter to give themselves a 14-point lead at half-time.
Algeria edged a low scoring third quarter, 8-6, but the defensive pressure they had maintained through the game started to take its toll on South Africa in the fourth, and Algeria took advantage storming the period 21-4 to finish with a convincing final score, 57-24.
Algeria’s Samiha Abdelali top scored with 14 points, whilst South Africa’s Kelebogile Moeng led the way for her team with 8 points.
South Africa now have an uphill battle if they are to secure the Tokyo 2020 Qualification spot being 0-2 down, with 3 games to go in a best of five.
Lind aBosele of South Africa challenged by Djamila Khemgani, Samiha Abdelai and Nourhane Boublal of Algeria during the 2020 IWBF Afro Paralympic Qualifiers Women match between South Africa v Algeria at the Mandeville Sports Centre, Johannesburg on the 02 March 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Game 6 - South Africa vs Algeria (Men)
South Africa and Algeria were both looking to get their second win of the Afro Paralympic Qualifiers. In a fast and physical game, Algeria controlled more of the play and threatened to pull away, but South Africa kept within reach to only have a 6-point deficit at half-time, 37-31.
Algeria extended the lead by another six points in the third quarter, to give themselves a 12-point advantage heading into the final ten minutes. South Africa came out with a vengeance at the start of the fourth as Algeria struggled defensively, repeatedly sending South Africa to the free-throw line, assisting them on a 10-0 run to bring the game back to within two points. Thanks to some superb finishing from Shane Williams towards the end of the game, he helped complete the comeback for South Africa and guide them to a two-point win, 62-60.
Richard Nortje and Shane Williams scored 24 and 23 points respectively for South Africa. Nabil Guedoun came off the bench to score 17 points for Algeria.
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