Mozambique grab Zone 6 ticket for 2023 Women’s AfroBasket

BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe) – By overcoming a pugnacious Angola 90-82 in the final of the Women's AfroBasket Zone 6 Qualifiers, Mozambique grabbed the only ticket available for the 2023 edition of FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.

Powered by quartet Ingvild Mucauro, Odelia Mafanela, Silvia Veloso and Stefania Chiziane, who accounted for 82 points, the Mozambicans resisted to a come-back from Angola en route to a third victory in a row over their opponents.

With this win, Mozambique bring their winning streak against Angola to 4-1. This is partly due to Mucauro’s performance on the court. The 5’10 (1,78m) forward had a field day, scoring 32 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, delivering 3 assists and producing 2 steals for her side.

Mucauro had a success rate of 80% at free throws, scoring 12 out of the 15 she was awarded during the 40 minutes she spent on the court.

Odelia Mafanela

Similarly, Manafela was as instrumental as she scored 21 points, along with 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Veloso also contributed 18 points to Mozambique’s total, while catching 8 steals! And Chiziane added 3 rebounds and 5 assist to the 11 points she scored.

As always, Mozambique had a flying start to the game. With a ticket to the Final Phase of the Women’s AfroBasket, no team was willing to take risks. And the game quickly became a battle for the lead, with Mozambique eventually winning it after the first quarter.

With a 3-point advantage, they kept pressing. But Angola responded, keeping Mozambique in sight, though a 5-point gap separated the two teams.

And then, in the third quarter, Angola turned the situation to their advantage. They were in front, thanks to the collective efforts of Italee Lucas, Sara Caetano, Nadir Manuel and Cristina Matiquite.

With a 30-point run, they were finally in front, with Mozambique trailing behind by 5 points (70-65). But as they went into the final stretch, Mozambique took control of the game once again and homed in 25 points, while Angola seemed to have lost all sense of attach with only 12 points scored.

At the buzzer, Mozambique could celebrate their win over their rivals whom they beat thrice in the same week.

Zimbabwe claim victory Zambia to finish third

Zimbabwe also kept their winning ways as they faced Zambia in the Classification Game. The hosts, who had overcome their opponent with a 20-point margin the day before, kept the same tempo, this time winning 70-50.

Sharon Chamwarura was the hero Zimbabwe needed as she scored 26 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and delivered 3 assists.

Sharon Chamwarura

Other notable performances were those from Mary Chawayipira, who claimed a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and 5 steals, and from Yolanda Matayataya, with 10 points and 3 rebounds.

Chamwarura and her teammates left no chance to their opponents as they started the game with 23-14. By the end of the second quarter, they already had a 12-point lead (40-28).

But Zambia suddenly found some offensive efficiency, claiming the third quarter (17-8). But they still were lagging behind. And they paid for their efforts in the last quarter as they slumped while Zimbabwe overpowered them 22-5.

Sadly, Zambia did not have any player scoring digits. But Mercy Kawagu’s performance (6 points and 21 rebounds) is one to be noted.

FIBA