Africa-Press – Angola. Athletes Italee Lucas and Sara Caetano were the most productive for Angola, in the double round of zone VI, against Mozambique, which ended with the Angolan squad’s qualification for the women’s senior Afrobasket, in August, in Côte d’Ivoire.
The shooting guards, the only ones playing overseas called up for the mission, ended up being decisive, especially in the 2nd game, in a competition played at the Cidadela Sports Pavilion, in Luanda.
Italee scored a total of 36 points in both matches, 8 in the 1st and 28 in the 2nd where she was elected the most valuable player (MVP).
The experienced athlete was also the most used. She was on the court for 69 minutes, 31 of which in the 1st match and 38 in the 2nd.
Sara Caetano, former Formigas do Cazenga player, scored 27 points overall, of which 17 in the 1st and 10 in the 2nd. She played 66 minutes, 31 in the 1st and 35 in the next.
The 21-year-old player was crucial in rebounds, with a total of 25.
Evolving in Portuguese basketball, Sara Caetano was the last to join the working group, 24 hours before the 1st game, on Monday, Feb 3, but still ended up being a key player in for Angola qualification.
Also highlighted was the 1.o de Agosto Center, Cristina Matiquite, with 16 points in total. She scored just a point in her debut match, but in the last game she scored 15.
Center Avelina Peso was also in the spotlight, scoring 14 points, 4 in the opening round and 10 in the 2nd match.
Peso lived up to her name in rebounds, having made a total of 19, 11 in the 1st and 8 in the 2nd.
Isabel Fernando contributed with 8 points in total, 4 in each game.
Domilda Lussati only scored 3 points as did captain Nadir Manuel, the only player in the squad who was part of the titles won by the national team in the African tournament in Bamako`2011 and Maputo`2013.
Angelina João and debutant Cristiana Correia just scored a point. Luzia Simão and Nelma Cunha did not score any points, and were only used in one game each.
At overall, Angola lost the 1st match, by 44 -50, and won the 2nd, by 65 -58.
The triumph allowed qualification for the African Championship, taking place from July 26th to August 3rd.
The Angolan team conceded 108 points and scored 109.
In the last African match of the sport, held in 2023, in Kigali (Rwanda), the Angolan women reached the quarter-finals with a defeat against Guinea, 69-71, a competition won by Nigeria.
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