DAKAR (Senegal ) - After six days of action, the group phase of the ongoing Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) came to an end on Wednesday with five players turning in stunning performances.
The quintet powered their teams to the elimination round in remarkable fashion, executing decisive plays when their teams needed them most.
In no particular order, this article brings you the story of the latest heroes of the 2024 WBLA:
Anabela Cossa
An injury in the second quarter for the Mozambique shooting guard, who only returned for the final stanza, could not stop her from putting up the numbers against Congo DR's ASB Makomeno.
Cossa finished with a game-high of 19 points to help Ferroviario de Maputo outclass ASB Makomeno 88-38 victory.
She shot 5-of-10 from behind the arc, three in the final quarter to help her side run the scores while restricting the Congolese to 11 points in the second half for a 50-point victory.
In the process, Cossa helped the Mozambican champions become the second team in the 2024 WBLA to register a 50-point win after Al Ahly SC trounced MFP 99-49.
Silvia Veloso
Veloso was the heart-and-soul as Ferroviario de Maputo demolished DR Congo champions ASB Makomeno.
Over the 29:08 minutes, the former University of Cumberlands standout not only finished with a game-best of 8 assists in Maputo's 88-38 win over ASB Makomeno, but she also contributed 11 points, coming two assists shy of a rare double-double.
Veloso has been phenomenal for Ferroviario de Maputo, leading the 2024 WBLA with 6.3 assists per game.
Ingvild Mucauro
For the second game in a row, the 2019 FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women MVP gave a stellar performance, helping the two-time African champions easy past ASB Makomeno (88-38).
In 33:54 minutes, Mucauro, a medical doctor by trade, scored 14 points, picked seven steals and as many rebounds while adding five assists to finish with an efficiency rating of 22.
It was Maputo's third win in as many games in Group C.
Destiny Philoxy
The Rwandan-American shot 4-of-10 from behind the arc to finish with 20 points, the highest for REG in their 65-52 win over Jeanne D'Arc to finish second in Group C.
The Rwandan international player added four assists and a rebound to make the top performers' list for the second game in a row.
Aminata Ly
The Senegalese continues to prove a crucial addition for Julian Martinez's charges, posting her second double-double on 12 points and 13 rebounds as REG won 65-52.
Ly made the most of her 36 minutes on the floor, contributing three steals and as many blocks. She also provided an assist to help REG advance to the Quarter-Finals with a 2-1 mark.
The 24-year-old center currently leads the 2024 WBLA in block shots, averaging 3 swats per game.
FIBA