MAPUTO (Afro basketball Women/FIBA Women`s World Championships
Nigeria could not believe that it was over for them to reach the Semis when their luck ran out as Mozambique seemed to be possessed as they charismatically pounced them in a quarter final thriller on Friday night.
Mozambique made history by by -passing Nigeria with two seconds remaining to secure a memorable 77-74 victory thanks to a three-pointer by Leia Dongue. Team Mozambique has been awarded a chance to battle it out in the Semis for the two qualifying places on offer for African teams to the 2014 FIBA World Championship for women.
What seemed to be the end of Mozambique in the tournament with 35 seconds remaining as they trailed 74-71 instead became an epic battle when Valerdina Manhonga hit a three pointer and tied the game at 74-74, before Dongue crushed Nigeria’s hopes.
Senegal the continent’s most successful team, in another quarter final, beat Mali 67-44 to reach the Last Four.
Earlier in the day, reigning champions Angola secured their fourth consecutive Afro Basketball Women Semi-Final appearance since 2007 with a comprehensive 84-49 win over Egypt.
Cameroon beat Cote d’lvoire 62-48 in yet another Quarter-Final to reach their first Afro Basketball Semi-Final since 1986.
Mozambique face Cameroon on Saturday in the first Semi-Final (18:00 local/CET time) Followed by Angola versus Senegal at 20:15.
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