The captain of the Samurai National Basketball Team, Odélia Mafanela, will not be able to participate in the next game against New Zealand, scheduled for tomorrow morning (1:30 am), due to an injury suffered in the match against Montenegro. The forward for Ferroviário de Maputo collided with an opponent, resulting in a sudden fall on the floor of the Juan de la Barrera pavilion, during the 74-52 defeat.
Mafanela was immediately transported to a health unit in Mexico City, where she received medical care. According to initial assessments, the knee injury is expected to keep her off the court for approximately one month, preventing her from participating in the match against New Zealand. This absence will be felt by the team, especially since Mafanela is the only player in the group who competed in the 2014 World Championship in Turkey, bringing experience and leadership to the team.
