LUSAKA (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) -  Zambia on Monday conceded their second defeat in as many games by losing 79-54 to Angola in the FIBA Africa Zone 6 Group G qualifier in Lusaka. 

While the Angolans improved their record to 2-0, hosts Zambia will enter the second leg of the qualifier with their backs against the wall. 

In the process, South Africa trail Angola by a game thanks to a 1-1 record.

The qualifier resumes on Tuesday at NASDEC gym in Lusaka with South Africa going up against Zambia.

The outcome of this contest will have major implications, particularly because the team that finishes runners-up will have a second chance to qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 by facing Zimbabwe who finished second in FIBA Africa Zone 6 Group H.

And the winner of the Lusaka qualifier will qualify for Congo-Brazzaville. 

So far, 11 national teams from all corners of Africa have ensured their places in this year’s 16-team FIBA AfroBasket in Congo-Brazzaville (19-30 August).

Teams qualified include African champions Nigeria, hosts Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Mali, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal.

FIBA Africa Zone 4 teams Cameroon, Chad and Gabon are currently battling in Yaounde for a place in Brazzaville while the remaining two places will be attributed via a wild card allocation process.

So, Zambia will need to beat South Africa on Tuesday to keep their FIBA AfroBasket 2017 aspirations alive before facing Angola on Thursday.

Fixtures of FIBA Africa Zone 6 Group G second leg:
28 March: South Africa v Zambia
29 March: Angola v South Africa
30 March: Angola v Zambia 

FIBA