Angola bounce back, Mozambique outscore Zambia to stay perfect at Women's AfroBasket Zone 6 Qualifiers

BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe) – Mozambique kept their winning ways on Wednesday after beating Zambia on Day 2 of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In the day's other game, Angola bounced back from a disappointing start to the qualifiers.

MOZAMBIQUE v ZAMBIA (87-51)

Just like for Day 1, Mozambique kept pushing and never looked back. The only time they seemed to slow down a bit was during the third and fourth quarters, when they knew they had the game in hand. With this second victory to their credit, Mozambique are now top of Group A, with two wins in as many games.


                                                                                                                Eleuteria Lhavanguane

It was but a mere formality for Mozambique. They had everything for them: the experience, the will and the know-how.

This translated into a 15-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, with Mozambique leading 15-0 at some point. Carlos Aik's team added a couple of more points and finished the first quarter in front 24-6.

In the second quarter, Mozambique showed no signs of slowing down.

What's more, Aik rotated his starting five and the bench proved to be as efficient, with 45 points scored.

By the end of the second quarter, it was clear that Zambia would need a miracle to overcome their opponent as Mozambique raced to a 57-25 advantage.

Back from the locker room, Mozambique kept up the pace, though they seemed to have slowed down a bit, which gave Zambia a bit of momentum, as they clinched to their opponents (17-16).

However, the damage was already done, and all their efforts in the final rush would avail to nothing as they still trailed 13-10.

Four players finished the game with double digits for Mozambique including Stefania Chiziane (13 points, 2 assists, 2 steals), Odelia Manafela (13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist), Carla Covane (13 points, 3 rebounds) and Eleuteria Lhavanguane (12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal). 

For Zambia, Gift Mwamba (9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists), Mercy Kawagu (9 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist) and Charity Maseko (9 points, 5 rebounds), were the main scorers.

With this second win, Mozambique face off Zimbabwe tomorrow, while Zambia will have to bring their A-game as they will battle a hungry Angola squad.

ZIMBABWE v ANGOLA (41-105)

Cristina Matiquite

After suffering a cruel defeat at the hands of Mozambique on Day 1, it was time for Angola to right some wrongs and show that they deserve to be at the high table. And when they left little to no chance to host Zimbabwe in a one-way game.

During the first quarter, they scored 32 points, while keeping their opponent at bay. When the first buzzer went off, it was clear that the game would be one-sided, as the scoreboard showed 32-8.

Though Zimbabwe tried a come-back in the second quarter, they met with a defensive wall, while Italee Lucas and Edvania Pascoal were having a field day on the other side of the court. At half-time, the score was 55-23 in favor of Angola.

Though they had total control of the game, they kept the tempo and finished the third quarter with a 20-point advantage (29-9). They were clearly heading towards the century of points, and taking care of their numbers along the way.

Cristina Matiquite registered the tournament’s first double-double, contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds to her side’s success. Pascoal added 14 points, with a hundred percent success-rate from the three-point line, scoring four out of four shots, and contributing 3 assists.

Italee Lucas was also in great shape as she added 13 points to her team’s total. Sara Caetano and Rosa Gala were also among the top scorers with 11 points each.

Zimbabwe's and the game’s top scorer was Tadiwa Mabika, who scored an impressive 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to help her side stay in the game. Her efforts, however, proved to be vain.

This victory sees Angola climb up to the second place of Group A, just one point away from Mozambique. Zimbabwe are third and Zambia sit fourth.

The regional qualifier resumers on Thursday with Angola taking on Zambia while Zimbabwe will challenge Mozambique.

FIBA