MAPUTO (FIBA U18 Women’s African Championship 2018 ) - Mozambique qualified for the Quarter-Finals as they won their first-ever head-to-head against Egypt 57-45 on the last day of Group A's games.

Earlier in the day, Rwanda easily overcame Cape Verde 57-32 for their second win.

Mozambique’s Filipa Calisto topped the day’s scoreboard, hitting 21 marks. An individual exploit, that happened with the help of her accomplices and the public.

“We supported each other in this game. It was tough, and we knew we could not afford to lose it,” she said.

So, things went smooth for the locals, boosted by voicing “defense, defense” and some excellent team-work. This showed especially in the second quarter, where Egypt eventually prevented them to break away (18-16).

But the 2016 silver medalists were too much focused on getting back in the game to notice that Mozambique had put down their guard in the second run.

However, things heated up in the third quarter, as Egypt clinched to their opponents (11-9), and in the last one (12-9). But last minute free-throws definitely sealed Egypt’s fate in the Maxaquene Arena.

“We had that incredible public with us. We remained concentrated and things worked out for us”, added Calisto.

Now that round 1 is done and dusted, they are looking forward to the Quarter-Finals.

They still do not know their next opponents. But they will have to face them off.

“We respect every team. And even if we draw Uganda, we shall take them seriously”, says the player, who has eyes set on one of the two slots reserved to Africa in next year’s FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

Earlier during the day, Cape Verde suffered their third defeat in a row, this time against Rwanda.

The player whose performance couldn’t go unnoticed was Rwanda’s Bella Murekatete, who with nearly 33 minutes on the court, netted 34 points to help her team win 57-32.

Cape Verde never worried their opponents, as Rwanda went off to a flying start (22-8) in the first quarter. Things went according to the team in blue, even as Cape Verde drew with them in the second quarter (11-11).

But this effort was worthless, as the final score read 57-32.

On Day 6, the Democratic Republic of Congo will play Uganda while titleholders Mali will square off against Angola.

FIBA