AfroBasket 2025: Angola edges Cape Verde as controversy lingers

LUANDA (Angola). In front of a record crowd of 12,700 at the Kilamba Arena, Angola punched their ticket to the AfroBasket 2025 semifinals with a 90–80 win over Cape Verde. But what should have been a celebration of lusophone basketball turned into a night overshadowed by refereeing controversies that continue to spark heated debate online and in real life.

Cape Verde’s comeback cut short

Cape Verde, down by 15 in the first half, stormed back in the third quarter behind the Almeida brothers. Ivan Almeida, the emotional leader of the Blue Sharks, gave his team real hope before being ejected after a second unsportsmanlike foul – a highly contestable decision that shifted the balance of the game and cut Cape Verde’s momentum.

With their leader gone and three other key players – Edy Tavares, Joel Almeida, and Betinho Gomes – fouling out in the fourth quarter, Cape Verde eventually ran out of options.

On the other side, Angola’s smallest player became the night’s Hercules. Petro de Luanda guard Childe Dundao (1.67m) delivered a heroic performance, scoring 30 points, 18 of them from the free-throw line, drawing 10 fouls. He was carried in triumph by his teammates after the buzzer.

Angolan voices

Forward Aboubakar Gakou, who added 14 points, stressed the importance of looking ahead:

“Now we need to rest and focus on the semifinal.”

Bruno Fernando highlighted defense and the energy in the stands:

“We forced a lot of turnovers and that allowed us to win. But tonight, the energy of the fans made all the difference.”

Edy Tavares: pride and frustration

For Cape Verde, Edy Tavares expressed both disappointment and pride:

“I’m very proud of this group. We knew everything was against us, but we were mentally prepared. We gave everything to win. We almost did it, but the game was decided at the free-throw line and by a few defensive mistakes.”

On representing his country, he added:

“We know we’re small and nobody respects us. But we inspire the youth, we try to do things the right way, and to be proud of everything we achieve.”

After the game, Cape Verde’s coach – himself originally from Angola – couldn’t hold back tears in the press conference, convinced his team had been denied a historic upset.

A rivalry and a controversy

What was expected to be a celebration of basketball between two Portuguese-speaking nations ended with bitter feelings. Many Cape Verde fans in the stands denounced what they saw as unfair officiating, and on social media many went as far as calling it a “robbery” that deprived their country of a historic victory.

At the same time, there was widespread recognition of Angola’s resilience, fueled by the incredible energy of its fans and Dundao’s unforgettable night.