A Game of Momentum Shifts
The reigning African champions were tested early on, as Mozambique took the first quarter 13–9, capitalizing on Nigeria's sluggish start. However, head coach Rena Wakama’s side slowly found their rhythm, matching the Mozambicans 15–15 in the second quarter to go into halftime trailing by just four points.
D’Tigress then stepped up their defensive pressure and offensive execution in the second half. They edged the third quarter 18–15 and took control in the fourth with an 18–12 finish, sealing the win and progressing directly to the last-eight stage of the competition.
Dominant Stats and Standout Players
Nigeria attempted 60 field goals and made 20, matching Mozambique’s 20 makes from 62 attempts. D’Tigress made their presence felt on the glass and defensively, recording 42 rebounds, 15 steals, and a tournament-high 10 blocks.
Top performers for the Nigerian side included:
- Ezinne Kalu: Game-high 16 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
- Promise Amukamara: 13 points, 6 rebounds
- Murjanatu Musa: A strong double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds
- Amy Okonkwo and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah added 8 and 6 points, respectively
On the Mozambican side, Ingvild Mucauro led with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Leia Dongue and Silvia Veloso contributed 7 points each in a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful effort.
Nigeria Stays on Course for Seventh Title
With this win, Nigeria continues its pursuit of a seventh Women’s AfroBasket title, reinforcing their dominance on the continent. The victory also means they avoid the playoff round and advance directly to the quarter-finals.
Mozambique, meanwhile, will now face the playoffs to fight for a spot in the quarter-finals, as they hope to stay alive in the competition.
D’Tigress will now shift focus to the knockout stages, where tougher opponents and higher stakes await in their quest to retain the African crown.