Placed in group B, considered as the most difficult group of the tournament, Mali was beaten by Canada on Tuesday (88-65). This fifth defeat in five games, puts an end to the course of the women’s Eagles in this World Women’s Basketball in Sydney.
The road was perilous for the Malian team, since it was placed in group B, one of the most difficult of this world tournament. The women’s Eagles came up against opponents who did them no favors. Mali has thus recorded a series of five defeats without winning any of its games.
Nevertheless, Touty Gandega and her teammates finished on a high note. They managed to hold off Canada in the second half of the game. Tied 17-17 in the third quarter, the Malians even won the fourth and final quarter of their tournament thanks to a final basket by Salimatou Kourouma (19-18).
Altercation between two Malian teammates after Monday’s defeat
On Monday, September 27, the Women’s Eagles of Mali were facing Serbia for the fourth group match. A game largely dominated by Serbia who won the game (81-68). Just after the fourth defeat against Serbia, Salimatou Kourouma, the winger of Stade Malien was involved in an improbable fight. She came to blows with her own partner Kamite Elisabeth Dabou in the mixed zone of the Olympic Park Sports Center, where media and players meet. Both players had to be separated by teammates.
FIBA takes note and announces disciplinary measures
In a statement, the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) acknowledges that there was an altercation between Malian players in the mixed zone (…). Following this incident, the authority has already opened an investigation and will decide to take any possible disciplinary action once the competition is over, says the same statement. Let us specify that the current president of the Fiba is the Malian Hamane Niang.
Eagles’ captain apologizes
“I know it’s CRAZY what happened but the little ones deeply regret their behavior!”, captain Touty Gandega tweeted later in the day. She indicated that the selection wanted to apologize to the Malian people and (the) African people.
The results of the different games of the Eagles of Mali
For their second participation in the Women’s World Basketball Championship, the Malians lost their five group games: 89-56 against Japan, 118-58 against Australia, 74-59 against France, 81-68 against Serbia and beaten (88-65) by Canada.
