Mozambicans were left in disbelief after the defeat of the national champion, Costa do Sol, against Matero Magic of Zambia by 71-78, in the first round of the first qualifying round of the Road to BAL, a qualifying tournament for the 2025 Basketball Africa League, which is taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe
“"What kind of joke is this? Here in Southern Africa, we're the only ones. We have no opponents. Now, where did this defeat come from?" asked a Mozambican basketball fan, expressing surprise at the unexpected result. Another fan also vented: "What a shame to lose to Matero Magic. I already said, without reinforcements, we're not going anywhere."”
However, not all comments were negative. Some fans expressed confidence in the team's recovery: "Without a doubt, we'll win at home" and "Next time, we'll do better." Despite the initial disappointment, the expectation of a better performance in future matches keeps fans enthusiastic.
The defeat surprised fans, who saw Costa do Sol as one of the favorites in the competition, especially in Southern Africa, where they traditionally excel. However, the tournament is just beginning, and the Mozambican team still has time to turn things around and qualify for the 2025 Basketball Africa League.
