Saved by the Bel: Cameroon make history with first-ever win

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – Cameroon made their fans back home proud by defeating Dominican Republic in FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 classification action for their first win in the history of the competition.

Hermann Bel scored only one-field goal in this game, but it turned out to be the most important one. Bel scored a go-ahead put-back basket with just 6.2 seconds in the game to break the tie and get the win.

Cameroon’s hero

Cameroon rallied from 18 points down to knock off the Americas side 86-84 in Classification 13-16 action. Noe Bom led the way with 19 points, Franck Belibi had 18 points, Wilf Kingue collected 18 points and 8 assists and Amadou Seini contributed 6 points and 14 rebounds.

Ronny Ewanke shined with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Cameroon will next play against the winner of China versus Jordan for 13th place.

It was a victory the Africans had hoped would come earlier.

Steve Tchiengang’s team came so close to getting their first win in the second game of the group stage against Australia. The Africans led by six points with 50 seconds to play but ended up watching Australia take the game to overtime where Cameroon lost 101-96 in double OT.

Cameroon then lost a 14-point lead in the Round of 16 and were defeated 86-82 to Israel in the Round of 16. That was followed by a loss to Argentina in Classification 9-16 action.

Today, however, they emerge victorious.

Support your favorite player and vote:

Who will be named FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 TISSOT MVP?

FIBA

Continue Reading