Angola reaffirmed its dominance in African basketball after defeating Mali 70,43 in the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Final, claiming a record 12th continental title. The Southern African nation, long regarded as a powerhouse of the sport, solidified its position as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
The triumph marked Angola’s first AfroBasket crown since 2013, ending a 12-year wait to return to the top of African basketball. They finished the tournament as the only undefeated side, posting an impressive 6,0 record in front of home fans at the sold-out Kilamba Arena in Luanda, which hosted three straight nights of capacity crowds of 12,700 spectators.
Under the guidance of a new generation of players, Angola displayed consistency, defensive grit, and attacking flair throughout the competition. The victory over Mali was decisive, as the Angolans’ relentless pressure on both ends of the court left little doubt about their superiority.
Childe Dundao, Angola’s dynamic guard, earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his stellar performances and leadership throughout the tournament. Dundao was also named to the 2025 All-Tournament Team alongside his teammate Bruno Fernando.
“This title means everything to us,” Dundao said after the win. “We wanted to bring Angola back to where it belongs, at the very top of African basketball.”
Although defeated in the final, Mali made history of their own by finishing second in the AfroBasket for the first time. Their 4,3 record reflected both resilience and promise for the future. Mahamane Coulibaly and Aliou Diarra represented Mali on the All-Tournament Team, highlighting the nation’s rising talent on the continental stage.
Earlier in the day, Senegal defeated Cameroon 98,72 to claim third place for the third consecutive edition of the AfroBasket. Brancou Badio of Senegal, another standout performer, earned two individual awards, Leading Scorer and Leading Three-Point Shooter, and was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Alongside Dundao’s MVP honor, several players and teams were recognized for exceptional achievements,
- Fair Play Award, Madagascar
- Leading Rebounder, Aliou Diarra (Mali)
- Leading Three-Point Shooter, Brancou Badio (Senegal)
- Leading Scorer, Brancou Badio (Senegal)
These accolades underscore the depth of talent across African basketball and the continued growth of the game on the continent.
Final standings of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket,
- Angola (6,0)
- Mali (4,3)
- Senegal (5,2)
- Cameroon (4,3)
- Nigeria (3,1)
- Egypt (3,1)
- Côte d’Ivoire (3,1)
- Cape Verde (3,2)
- Guinea (2,2)
- South Sudan (1,3)
- DR Congo (1,3)
- Tunisia (1,3)
- Rwanda (0,3)
- Madagascar (0,3)
- Uganda (0,3)
- Libya (0,3)
The win cements Angola’s legendary status in AfroBasket history. From the late 1980s through the 2000s, the country dominated the competition, winning 11 titles in 16 editions before a recent drought. Their 2025 victory signals a new era, one in which Angola combines its storied legacy with youthful energy and renewed ambition.
With packed arenas, emerging stars, and historic firsts for teams like Mali, this year’s AfroBasket not only celebrated Angola’s return to glory but also showcased the growing competitiveness of African basketball. Fans now turn their attention to the next chapter, whether Angola can maintain its momentum, and whether rising challengers like Mali, Senegal, and Nigeria can finally break through.
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