Basketball in Africa

Cape Verde has booked a place in the playoff of the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a 53-52 points win over Egypt in the third-place game played today at the Cidadela gymnasium, Luanda.

The Emmanuel Travoada coached side came back from behind to humbled the North African in their own game.

The youthful coach proved a point that home grown coaches have an edge over imported coach in the slamming and dunking game in Africa.

Cape Verde will now join the championship runner-up for the FIBA playoffs championship holding next year.

Nigeria defeated Tunisia 83-82 points in over-time to claim the fifth spot of the championship.

The Nigeria tied the game when it matters most and when the Tunisian thought it was over, Nigeria off-guard, Chamberlain Oguchi took a daring shot to tie the game at 69 points apiece at regular time.

The Nigeria side poured in 14 points to Tunisia 13 at over-time.