BAMAKO (FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017) – Mozambique and Egypt have confirmed their places in the last eight at the ongoing FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2017 hosted at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga in Bamako, Mali.

The 2013 silver medalists saw off a stiff challenge from Democratic Republic of Congo to win 52-42 on Tuesday to go third in a tough Group A. 

Power forward Leia Dongue registered a double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead Nasir Sale's side into the all-important Quarter-Finals. 

Team captain Odelia Mafanela and Elizabeth Pereira added 12 and 10 points in that order to help Mozambique make headway towards one of their many team objectives at the biennial continental competition that has attracted Africa's top 12 teams. 

Meanwhile, the above result ensured Egypt sit in fourth place with a 2-2 win ratio inferior to Mozambique's on the plus minus and better than DR Congo and Guinea's 0-4 ratios.

Power forward Mai Helwa scored 10 points and picked six rebounds for Egypt but this was not enough to challenge a star-studded Senegalese side that went four wins out of four games. 

"We are happy that we have once again qualified for the Quarter-Finals. We finished eighth in 2015 so we want to better this position. We have improved as a team and now teams respect us when we step on court," Helwa told FIBA.basketball. 

Nevertheless both Mozambique and Egypt are in the last eight and when they face off on Wednesday, it will be a battle for third place. 

FIBA