Lusophone Derby: Angola, Mozambique to light up Quarter-Finals

BAMAKO (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) – Angola and Mozambique will square off in the Quarter-Finals of the ongoing FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 on Friday in the Malian capital of Bamako at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga.

Angola, who are unbeaten at the tournament with five wins, will be looking to extend their winning streak and march into the Semi-Finals with an eye on the Final and ultimately the crown like they did six years ago in Bamako.

"It is going to be difficult for us but we have 12 players and we shall use our strengths to help each other. We need to play as a block." - Covilha

However, they face a familiar rival in Mozambique, one that is ready to throw everything at this game for a place at the big table.

Covilha admitted: "It is going to be difficult for us but we have 12 players and we shall use our strengths to help each other. We need to play as a block."

Meanwhile, in-form Nigeria will be up against Cote d'Ivoire in a West African derby that will not be short of physical contests in all aspects. 

D'Tigress, as the Nigerian side is known, are title favorites especially after defeating the reigning champions Senegal to top Group B but against the Ivorians, they will face a combative test from the tournament's dark horses.

Cote d'Ivoire came close to victory against Angola and have bragging rights at the tournament as the only team to have tested Angola to the core, a game the Southern Africans would like to forget for it was a mental battle too.

Cameroon find themselves between a rock and a hard place having to play the reigning champions at this stage. This is the rematch of the title game two years ago and they Central Africans who had a tough Group Phase will look for revenge.

The hosts Mali face an unfamiliar rival in Egypt, the only North African side at this stage of the tournament. 

It is a party for the fans that should be completed with victory and it is this pressure that Egypt will be up against when they take on Mali who would rather celebrate a victory than present tears to the crowd at the full time whistle. 

Egypt forward Hala Mostafa Elshaarawy said, "We shall try to do our best but we are sure that their bigs are very slow and our power forwards are light and fast so I think we can beat them. It is not the first time we are playing against this big crowd so we just need to zone out."

The Egyptians will be remembered for stunning Angola two years ago and indeed Mali know better than to take them for granted. 

Mali head coach Sylvain Lautie admitted that, "It is going to be tough."

The winners and the runners-up of this year's tournament will secure their tickets for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain. 

FIBA