DAKAR(Senegal) - The last group stage matches of the 2024 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) conclude Wednesday as former champions Ferroviario de Maputo take on ASB Makomeno for a chance to stay perfect while Rwanda Energy Group (REG) play home side Jeanne D'Arc in Group C for an automatic slot to the Quarters.
Ferroviario are through after two wins and will fight for top place. The second match decides the other automatic slot from the group.
Ferroviario favourites against ASB Makomeno
Nasir Sale's Ferroviario have stayed perfect with 78-74 and 64-30 wins against REG and Jeanne D'Arc respectively and as they play winless Congo DR's ASB Makomeno, expectations are high.
"We have had two good performances and the plan is to keep being consistent. Our focus is just not on qualification but on playing well as we advance. We know the quality of Congolese players is ,traditionally, high and we have to be focused and improve on our weak areas from the last two encounters," coach Sale.
The Mozambican's charge will be led by 26-year-old Silvia Veloso and former African MVP Ingvild Mucauro. The Congolse side has Zimbabwe's Dorcas Marondera and Malian Aichata Traoré leading their charge for a first win.
Can home side Jeanne D'Arc get better of REG?
The two sides head to the decider match on three points after a 1-1 show in the opening two. Zone Five silver medalist REG are favourites on paper, having put top placed Ferroviario under pressure in their clash (78-74) while the home team lost 64-30.
The Julian Martinez's Rwandese side, powered by Ines Nezerwa, Destiny Promise Philoxy and Aminata Ly carry a superior shooting advantage over the Senegalese side that has Coumba Niangalie and Ndeye Sokhna Konteye pushing their resolve for a first win.
Coach Martinez will hope to have Victoria Reynolds who sat out the last match in action as she has been a key part of the squad for the qualifiers in Zone Five.
Who will advance as the third best placed side?
Cameroon's FAP in Group A, Congo DR's CNSS in B and the loser of the match between REG and Jeanne D'Arc in C are all in contention.
The two best sides will be picked on points differential and Koko Ade's CNSS who stunned outgoing defending champions Alexandria Sporting Club 61-59 are assured a place.
Ange Majolie-led FAP's chances rest on how the match between REG and Jeanne D'Arc pans out as they have -27 points differential. The Rwandese head to the last match on a +28 while the Senegalese are on a -11.
FIBA