By Victor Kanayo
Four countries – Nigeria, Uganda, Mali and hosts Cote d’Ivoire have earned straight qualification to the quarter-final of the ongoing 2025 FIBA Afrobasket championship in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
This followed their straight victories in two group matches played so far in the competition.
The slot for the last eight spot will be complete when playoffs are completed on Wednesday.
Egypt, Angola, Senegal, Cameroon, South Sudan, Rwanda, Mozambique and Guinea will take part in the playoff games.
A Fight To Progress
Nigeria, the defending champions, and with four consecutive overall triumphs, struggled to beat Mozambique 60-55 points.
They had to fight back a first-quarter setback to beat Mozambique in its second game to book their place in the quarter-final.
The Nigerian side lost the first quarter 13-9 points and tied the second-quarter final 15-15 points before dominating the third and fourth quarter to secure the tough win.
A Retrospect Of Performance
The match was reminiscent of the quarter-final game between both countries at the last tournament in 2023, where Nigeria won 59-52 points, after losing the first and second quarters.
With this victory, Nigeria tops Group D and extends their unbeaten AfroBasket streak to 26 games, underlining their dominance in African women’s basketball, remaining on course for a fifth title.
Gazelles Stunner
Uganda Gazelles were the first team to qualify for this year’s quarter-final after a spectacular show against record champions Senegal, in a 73-70 overtime victory.
One of the most anticipated matchups at this year’s event, the clash, a revenge mission for Senegal who lost 85-83 to Uganda in 2023, lived up to expectations with either side having moments of brilliance on the court.
The Senegalese, however, could not muster the points to exact revenge as Uganda finishes top of Group C for a direct ticket to the last eight.
