CAIRO (Egypt) - "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" could not be truer for Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) defending champions Ferroviario de Maputo who cameabck from a 13-point deficit to pick a 71-65 overtime victory over ASC Ville de Dakar.
On Saturday, they upset the Senegalese champions to reach the final of the tournament for the sixth time in eight editions since 2016.
Back-to-back final berths means work - Ingvild Mucauro
Led by Carla Covane, who finished with 16 points, as well as Odelia Mafanela and Silvia Veloso, who both finished with 15 points each, the Mozambique champions have reached an overall seventh final, equalling Inter Clube de Luanda of Angola. The Nasir Sale-led side is chasing their fourth continental title, having lifted their third in Dakar in 2024. After going 34-23 ahead at halftime, ASCD seemed to be in cruise control, despite a 14-12 third quarter in favour of the Maputo-based.
However, three steals in the opening four minutes of the fourth stanza, allowed Mafanela and Veloso to convert for 50-47 disrupting ASC Ville de Dakar's momentum. Dulce Luis Mabjaia tied the score a 50 and the Senegalese were suddenly chasing the game, although the levelled the score at 59-59 to force overtime where the title holders prevailed 12-6.
Veloso, who finished a point behind top scorer Covane was Sale's most efficient player, shooting 6-for-12, sinking one from range in three attempts for the 15 points. She came and assist shy of a double-double, adding 7 rebounds and 3 steals for 24 in efficiency rating. Mafanela, on her part, contributed 6 to Ferroviario Maputo's 20 steals, tied with Ingvild Mucauro. The two grabbed 5 and 9 rebounds respectively, leading the side to the hard-fought win for a chance to defend their title.
Forward Invild Mucauro, speaking after the victory, said: "We didn't start the game as we would have liked but Ferroviario is a hustling team, we never give up. I am so proud of this team and of this group of girls. We fought very hard, and everybody contributed to this win. We are happy to be going back to the final."
She continued: "Back-to-back final berths means work. We put in effort and worked hard to be here despite going through some things back home, and this means we are valuing our efforts as basketball is our life. We are here to show Mozambique basketball."
FIBA