In a strong road performance, Mali stunned the host nation Egypt with a convincing 86-77 victory. Mali set the tone early, building a double-digit lead by halftime (46-34) through sharp outside shooting and dominant pick-and-roll play from key duo Oumar Ballo and Siriman Kanouté. Ballo powered Mali with a standout 23-point double-double, while the team controlled the pace for most of the contest, leading for over 37 minutes despite Egypt's late fourth-quarter rally. This upset win gave Mali a solid start in qualifiers, showcasing their depth and resilience against a tough Egyptian side. Egypt fought back in the final period but couldn't overcome Mali's early advantage and balanced attack.