Mali earned a vital 86-77 victory over Egypt in the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers on February 27, 2026. The Malian team used a strong second-half surge to overcome a resilient Egyptian side in a pivotal matchup for group positioning. The game was a back-and-forth affair in the first half, but Mali's athleticism and offensive rebounding began to wear down Egypt after the break. Mali went on a key run in the third quarter to establish a double-digit lead that they managed effectively until the final buzzer. This win gives Mali a crucial edge in the head-to-head tiebreaker with Egypt, which could prove vital in the race for a World Cup berth.