Mozambique sneak through to AfroBasket qualifiers
An Elves Houana three-pointer with 24 seconds remaining and score at 57-45 cut the lead to nine points, leading to a joyous celebration at the Maxaquene venue.
MAPUTO (Mozambique) - Mozambique are heading to the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers despite losing to South Africa 57-48 in Game 2 of Zone 6 Pre-Qualifiers on Saturday night at the Pavilhao do Maxaquene in Maputo.
The Mozambican progressed to the next stage on points differential after they beat South Africa by 12 points (62-50) in the first of the two-game series on Friday.
Mozambique closed the series with a 108-107 win on aggregate.
An Elves Houana three-pointer with 24 seconds remaining and score at 57-45 cut the lead to nine points, leading to a joyous celebration at the Maxaquene venue.
Houna, who plays for Ferroviario de Beira, scored 18 points in the game and was also 6/12 from the three-point line.
South Africa went to sleep defensively as Mozambique's point guard, Nilton Seifane, grabbed the rebound that led to Houana's three-pointer.
South Africa, whose last appearance in the international scene was the 2017 AfroBasket, was led in scoring by Samkelo Cele's 19 points, while Pieter Prinsloo dropped 15 points.
Mozambique, who last participated in the AfroBasket in 2017 and had a disappointing 2021 qualifying campaign, will look to make amends this time around.
Milagre Macome's men have time to bask in their victory, but come November (22-24), they will have to be ready for a tough Group A qualifier.
The Southern Africans group includes Olympic Games-bound South Sudan, who are a rising star in the continental game.
Mozambique will also have to contend with two other difficult opponents in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.
FIBA