MAPUTO (Mozambique) - Leia Dongue came up with her A-game but that wasn't enough to avoid hosts Mozambique's 57-48 defeat against reigning African champions Nigeria.

Dongue finished with a game-high 26 points, she also grabbed a team-best six rebounds, but being the only Mozambican to score in double digits said it all about their struggles to contain a well-organised and disciplined Nigeria team. 

Adaora Elonu and Atonye Nyingifa led the Nigerian offense with a combined 22 points, 2019 FIBA Women's AfroBasket MVP Ezinne Kalu added nine points, and  Evelyn Akhator was crucial at both of the floor finishing with nine points and twelve rebounds for Nigeria.

With the win, Nigeria not only advanced to the Olympic African Pre-Qualifiers Semi-Finals where they will take on Mali on Sunday, but they also reminded everyone who no the No.1 team in Africa as they extended their winning streak to 15-0 dating back to the 2015 FIBA Women's AfroBasket. 

Meanwhile, in the first game of the day, Mariam Alou Coulibaly and Kankou Coulibaly, the only Mali players to score in double digits combined for 26 points - almost of the team's points, but their effort wasn't good enough to avoid a 58-53 defeat.

Experienced  Mame-Marie Sy-Diop was a game-changer for Senegal finishing with a game-high 16 points, Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye converted two of her three three-point attempts to finish with 10 points. 

Mali really struggled to defend the three-point line, and the Senegalese made the most of it. Ndèye Sène, for instance, just needed nine minutes to hit two three-points to finish with nine points off bench.

Senegal were so determined to finish top of Group B that they started strong, they never trailed and wen on to lead by as many as ten points.

With the win, Senegal advanced to the Semi-Finals where they will take on hosts Mozambique for one of the two spots available for the Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

FIBA