Int’l Solidarity Cup: Basketball Lions Impress… Despite Defeat

T he Basketball Lions of Cameroon have conclu­ ded their campaign at the 2026 International Soli­ darity Cup in China. Meeting for the second and last time in the tournament, Cameroon was once again beaten by the host, China, 90-82. Ho­ wever, pundits are unanimous that the takeaway is not en­ tirely the defeat, but the com­ portment of the Cameroonian team compared with the first match. Going by the result, it is evident that the team im­ proved both defensively and offensively. In the first match, Cameroon conceded 113 points to China against 79 points scored, hence a point gap of 34. Conversely, in the second meeting between both teams yesterday, China was held to 90 points, while Cameroon improved offensively by sco­ ring 82 points. The point gap separating the two teams also dropped to eight, com­ pared with 34 in the first meeting. Cameroon also suc­ ceeded in winning the second quarter of the second meeting between both teams (23-18). In all, Cameroon goes home with one victory and two de­ feats, a mediocre perfor­ mance, but t...