Mozambique's men's national basketball team secured its place in the second stage of qualification for Afrobasket-2025 after defeating South Africa in the playoffs held at the Maxaquene Pavilion. Despite a narrow 57-48 loss in the second game, Mozambique secured its passage thanks to the advantage gained in the first match, winning 62-50.
The journey to victory began in the first quarter, where Elves Houana stood out by scoring 4 consecutive three-pointers, securing a 14-14 tie. In the second quarter, Azénio Cossa took charge, reducing the deficit to just 3 points at halftime, demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
After the break, Mozambique struggled, allowing South Africa to build a 14-point lead by the end of the third quarter. In the final period, Nilton Seifane led the team, scoring 6 consecutive points to tie the score, while Elves Houana hit a crucial three-pointer with just 17 seconds left in the game, securing Mozambique's passage to the next round.
In terms of individual performance, Elves Houana led with 18 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Azénio Cossa and Nilton Seifane, both with 8 points. For South Africa, Daniel Prinsloo and Samkelo Cele stood out with 15 and 19 points, respectively.
With this victory, Mozambique joins South Sudan, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quest for a spot in the African Championship, seeking a return to a competition it hasn't participated in since 2017. The next phase will take place in November, at a location to be determined, and the Mozambican team is determined to continue its journey towards Afrobasket-2025.
