WINDHOEK (Namibia) - This year, Angola and Mozambique will represent Southern Africa at the FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket in Rwanda from September 2-14.
Angola, who finished third in 2023, will make their eighth appearance in the women's tournament. Mozambique, who competed in 2019 and finished fourth, will make their sixth appearance.
The Angolan team advanced to the final game with a perfect 6-0 record in the group phase.
They ran rampant in the Zone 6 qualifiers, beating Malawi (95–58), Namibia (84–7), Mozambique (60–35), Botswana (74–34), Zambia (89–37), and South Africa (73–29).
Ana Tekadiomona dominated for Angola in the qualifiers, averaging 13.2 points and 18 rebounds per game.
She also recorded four double-doubles in wins over Namibia (17 points and 15 rebounds), Botswana (16 points and 27 rebounds), Zambia (16 points and 18 rebounds), and South Africa (10 points and 18 rebounds).
She maintained her level of consistency in the final game against Mozambique, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as Angola won 45-38.
Mozambique had a 5-1 record in the group stage. Apart from their loss to Angola, they defeated Namibia (110–24), Botswana (73–30), Zambia (106–25), South Africa (61–52), and Malawi (54–45).
Clelian Novela was Mozambique's go-to player. In the first three games, she posted three double-doubles in victories over Namibia (27 points and 12 rebounds), Botswana (16 points and 21 rebounds), and Zambia (26 points and 21 rebounds).
She had a quiet game against Angola, scoring seven points and grabbing six rebounds. Noemy Viana was the leading scorer for the Mozambicans with 12 points.
FIBA