Angola book ticket to #AfroBasketWomen 2019

HARARE (Zimbabwe) - Angola have qualified for the upcoming FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 after defeating Zimbabwe over two legs in the Zone 6 Qualifiers on Thursday and Saturday in the Zimbabwean capital.

The two-time African champions dominated the first game and were short of a century by a point while limiting their opponents to just 53 points.

Angola took an early lead 28-14 led by their captain Felizarda Jorge who took the day and in the absence of poster girl Italee Lucas motivated her teammates to fight for their pride. 

Zimbabwe looked out of sorts even though they were playing in front of their home crowd that came out to cheer them on but it was clear that the task at hand was much greater than their short preparations prior to the tournament. 

A 49-28 lead at the half time break painted a clear picture that Angola were meaning business but Zimbabwe were not about to give up.

They played a decent defence on the other side of the court but paid the price in the paint where Angola was dominating the boards. 

Angola scored 22 points in the third quarter while limiting the hosts to just 10 and despite a late charge in the last quarter, Zimbabwe found themselves in the deep end losing 99-53. 

Rosemira Daniel scored a game high 20 points while Avelina Peso and Jorge added 15 and 13 points in that order to inspire Angola to a well deserved victory.  

Zimbabwe captain Alexandra Sifiso Maseko netted her side's only double digits - 12 while experienced Patience Chinhoyi picked an impressive nine rebounds but their effort was not enough to grant the  home side victory. 

With hope to come back in the second game, the hosts kept their hopes up high and did not give up but Angola was too powerful for them winning 90-64. 

Jorge led by example along with Elisabeth Mateus who each scored 15 points apiece while Rosa Gala who did not play the first game came out strong to add 12 points. 

Zimbabwe led the boards picking 50 rebounds on the night with 30 of those being defensive while Angola managed 43 but it was on the efficiency in the paint that made the difference. 

Experienced Sharon Chamwarura scored a game high 20 points and picked an impressive seven rebounds and three steals but Zimbabwe's woes were in relying on one player to carry the day while it took four players in double figures to make it happen for Angola. 

Apolinario Paquete's side will now head to Africa's biggest showpiece for women's basketball seeking to avenge their lacklustre performance two years ago in Mali where they finished sixth - a shocking mediocre display for a side so exposed to success stories especially at club level on the continent. 

Angola join Cameroon who qualified as Zone 4 champions alongside Cape Verde that emerged as Zone 2 winners.

The reigning champions Nigeria, runners up and hosts Senegal, third placed Mali and fourth placed Mozambique qualified automatically for the continental Women’s basketball bonanza which will take place from August 9-18 at the newly-built Arena Dakar on the outskirts of the Senegalese capital city.

FIBA