DAKAR (Senegal) - Former African champions Ferroviario de Maputo are through to the semis of the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) after picking a 65-44 win over Senegalese side Jeanne D'Arc.
The match was a repeat of a group phase clash that the Mozambicans won 64-30, and, unlike the other repeat match where APR won against Friend's Basketball Association (FBA), Jeanne D'Arc had nothing on the two-time title holders.
Stefania Chiziane dropped 20 points, shooting 6-of-13 as Ingvild Mucauro added 11 to lead coach Nasir Sale's side to their fourth consecutive victory heading to Last Four.
TURNING POINT: A 22-12 opening quarter for Ferroviario ensured they remained calm when the home side made a run for a 14-8 second quarter to trail by just four in the opening half.
A 7-0 run in the opening two minutes of the second half restored the former champion's lead to double digits at 37-26 en route their victory.
HERO: Mucauro continues to prove a key asset for coach Sale. Her double-double of 11 points and as many rebounds while giving three assists and picking five steals in just over 35 minutes leading the team on 18 in efficiency.
Chiziane's 20 points, four steals and two rebounds for 15 in efficiency rating proved crucial too.
STATS DON'T LIE: Ferroviario scored 18 off Jeanne D'Arc's 23 turnover, against 12 off 16 of the Mozambique side's turnovers. Shooting 8-of- 25 on threes against the Senegalese's three pulled Ferroviario away in crucial moments as did their 19-8 show on second chance points and 29-15 on bench points.
BOTTOM LINE: Ferroviario are two wins away from a third African title but are up against a star-studded APR side keen to get on an African podium for the first time.
For Jeanne D'Arc who received a last-minute wild card for the competition, they continue their journey in the classification clashes for a finish in 5th-8th place.
THEY SAID: "Going up against Jeanne D'Arc whom we had played in the group stage gave us the chance to rotate our squad as we knew what to expect and try out different combinations in preparation for the semis. The competition gets tougher from here on but we feel ready," Nasir Salé, head coach Ferroviario de Maputo.
"Coming into the match all we wanted was a win and now that we are through to the semis, we are shifting our focus to the next team. We will be ready for them," Power Forward Stefania Chiziane.
FIBA