Even without title contention, the tournament's last classification games were played with pride. Sporting de Luanda secured fifth place by narrowly defeating KPA 74-67, while REG claimed seventh by beating CNSS 77-72.
Last Updated on
December 21, 2025
Sporting started the game with a bang, getting out of the blocks and going on a 5-0 run. However, basketball is more of a marathon than it is a sprint, and KPA made sure to retaliate almost immediately and keep the game close. There were multiple lead changes, but at the end of the first quarter, nothing separated the two teams, with the score at 17 points apiece.
The second quarter was also similar to the first. Both teams played with a lot of grit, never letting the other get too far ahead. Alexus Johnson showed how great a shooter she is, making multiple three-pointers for KPA, while Nelma Cunha showed her versatility with big plays and big shots. KPA got into foul trouble, and Magda Mussol took full advantage of this in the second quarter and had multiple trips to the free-throw line. Despite this, KPA found a way to take a slim but important lead at the half at 33-32.
The third quarter belonged to Sara Dickey of KPA. She started the quarter scorching hot. She first completed an and-one play, then dropped a three-pointer. She continued to add to her tally and ended the game with 20 points for KPA.
Both teams showed off their shooting prowess, but it was most evident towards the end of the quarter when Eleuteria Lhavanguane made a three-pointer for Sporting. Then Betty Kananu responded with a three for KPA, and Aminata Samassekou drained a three for KPA at the end of the quarter to give her team a two-point lead at 57-55.
In the fourth quarter, Sporting took their defensive efforts to the stratosphere, limiting KPA to just 10 points while scoring 22. Eleuteria Lhavanguane led all scorers with 25 points as she showed that she is as tough as a cookie - having played the entire game and not dropping her production. Nelma Cunha, dubbed the double-double machine, scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Sporting. Sporting won 74-67.
We caught up with Yvonne Okello of KPA and she said the following:
"The game was just fine. We had the lead until the fourth quarter. I think everything could have worked if we stayed together."
REG started the game on a 4-0 run, but were aware that this game would not be easy, as CNSS is known to fight until the final whistle. Both teams would go on short runs as they exchanged the lead multiple times. However, CNSS found their rhythm late in the quarter when they had a 4-0 run capped by Divine Iyomi's three-pointer.
They took an 18-14 lead at the end of the quarter. REG started the second quarter with a 7-0 run during which Kayana Traylor had five points and an assist. Her ability to orchestrate the game is invaluable for this REG side. Divine Iyomi continued with her incredible long-distance shooting when she scored back-to-back three-pointers. While CNSS was holding onto a narrow one-point lead, Kayana Traylor sank a three-pointer to give REG a 35-33 lead into the half.
REG started the quarter with a three-pointer by Gloriose Byukusenge and two free throws from Kayana Traylor. However, in true CNSS fashion, they fought back and took the lead when Rhema Tshoto scored a floater. That lead was short-lived as Odile Tetero scored a three for REG. They then exchanged equal blows until the end of the quarter, when the game was tied at points apiece. The fourth quarter was a true battleground.
CNSS took a four-point lead courtesy of Djelika Tounkara's layups. They then went up by six when Gracia Nguz added four more points. However, Kayana Traylor's three-pointer gave REG a one-point lead and prompted a 10-0 run for REG. They would hold onto this lead and claim a 77-72 victory and the seventh place that goes with it. Kayana Traylor led all scorers with 25 points and dished out eight assists.
We spoke with REG's Lamla Umunezero and she had the following to say:
"The game was not easy at all. We fought until the last second and stayed together. We didn't give up at all. [...] No team should be taken for granted. Every team here is capable of winning."
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
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