Mozambique's national basketball team played its last game in the FIBA World Championship qualifying tournament in Mexico City against New Zealand. This match ended in a 79-63 defeat, marking the third consecutive loss for the "Samurais" in this competition. Now, the team sees the AfroBasket 2025, to be held in Ivory Coast, as a new opportunity to try and qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Germany, just as it did in 2014 when it secured a spot for the World Cup in Turkey.
Mozambique's participation in this qualifying phase was not easy. Before arriving in Mexico City, the team faced several difficulties, including problems in preparation due to financial limitations and the absence of some key players at certain stages of the preparation. The injury to captain Odélia Mafanela, which occurred in the previous game against Montenegro, was a hard blow for the team, which had already suffered a defeat against Mexico in the opening match (71-65) and a second defeat against Montenegro (52-74).
In the game against New Zealand, the Mozambican team once again showed difficulties in the inside game and outside shooting, which was reflected in the result. New Zealand started the game leading 14-12 in the first quarter, extending their advantage in the second quarter, which ended 44-30. Although Mozambique improved in the third quarter, tying it at 20-20, the 14-point difference remained until the end of the game.
Despite the defeat, some players stood out, such as Ingvild Mucauro, who scored 14 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 3 assists, and Chanaya Pinto, who contributed 13 points and 4 assists. Carla Covane also played well, adding 12 points. Now, the Mozambican team will focus on AfroBasket 2025, where they hope to have another opportunity to fight for qualification for the World Cup.
