Composed comeback opens back-to-back WBLA Final doors for Ferroviário de Maputo

Composed comeback opens back-to-back WBLA Final doors for Ferroviário de Maputo

At the Prince Abdallah Al Faisal Sports Hall in Cairo, the Women’s Basketball League Africa Semi-Final between ASC Ville de Dakar and Ferroviário de Maputo unfolded like a test of belief. One team arrived as the undefeated challenger, the other as the reigning champion, equally flawless on paper. Only one would leave with a return ticket to the Final.

For more than 35 minutes, the balance of the contest tilted toward ASC Ville de Dakar. Disciplined, composed, and purposeful, the Senegalese champions dictated tempo and space, building their lead quarter by quarter.

They edged the opening period 18–15, tightened the screws in the second to take a 34–23 advantage at halftime, and carried a nine-point cushion into the final stanza. With 4:34 remaining in regulation, they were still in front, seemingly in control. Yet Ferroviário de Maputo had not travelled to Cairo to surrender a title quietly.

The champions’ response was not a single surge, but a sequence of precise, pressure-driven moments. At 6:01 of the fourth quarter, Silvia Veloso pierced the ASCVD defence to cut the deficit. Moments later, Dulce Luis Mabjaia buried a three-pointer to level the score at 50–50, a basket that shifted both the scoreboard and the emotional temperature of the arena.

With 4:15 remaining, Odélia Mafanela pushed Ferroviário ahead, converting decisively to make it 52–50. The Locomotivas, suddenly energised, turned defence into momentum. A fastbreak finish by Veloso at 2:55, following a turnover, stretched the lead to five and forced ASC Ville de Dakar into unfamiliar territory: pursuit.

Still, the challengers refused to fold. Aliyah Matharu, Diouma Berthe, and Alimata Coulibaly combined to restore parity, dragging the game to 59–59 and into overtime, the first extra-time contest of this year’s WBLA. It was a reward for ASCVD’s persistence, but also a danger signal for a Ferroviário side that thrives in moments of stress.

Overtime became a contest of composure. Stefania Chiziane opened the scoring to give the titleholders a narrow lead, one that was earned rather than gifted. Ferroviário’s advantage grew incrementally: four points, then six, with Ingvild Mucauro asserting herself on both ends of the floor. With 11 seconds remaining, Chiziane delivered the final basket, sealing a 71–65 victory and confirming back-to-back Final appearances for the Maputo-based club.

The numbers told part of the story. Ferroviário’s defensive intensity translated into 38 points off turnovers and a decisive edge in steals, disrupting ASCVD’s rhythm when it mattered most. Their 18 assists reflected a team that trusted the extra pass, even as fatigue set in.

Individually, the champions found balance. Carla Covane led with 16 points, Odélia Mafanela and Silvia Veloso added 15 apiece, while Veloso’s influence extended well beyond scoring. Logging over 39 minutes, she orchestrated play with nine assists and seven rebounds, constantly pulling the strings as Ferroviário clawed back into contention. Mafanela’s contribution was equally vital; her efficiency and defensive reads anchored the comeback during critical stretches.

ASC Ville de Dakar, for their part, departed with heads held high. Aliyah Matharu delivered a commanding performance, pouring in 27 points and carrying the offensive burden with authority. Ndoumbe Mbodj controlled the boards, and Couna Ndao provided timely contributions. Undefeated until this point, ASCVD proved they belong on this stage, pushing the champions to the very edge.

After the game, Ferroviário head coach Nasir Salé reflected on a contest shaped by adversity and adjustment.

“This was an extremely demanding match. We went into halftime trailing by eleven points, but the group responded with intelligence and resolve,” he said. “We adjusted our approach, and the players demonstrated courage, discipline, and determination until the very end.”

Salé also highlighted the importance of preparation and flexibility.

“Scouting plays a fundamental role at this level. We introduced players with different defensive profiles, and their impact disrupted our opponents’ offensive flow at key moments.”

Odélia Mafanela echoed that sentiment, emphasizing collective responsibility over individual heroics.

“The decisive factor was our ability to function as a unit,” she explained. “We studied our opponents carefully, identified their strengths on both ends of the floor, and adapted accordingly. That collective understanding allowed us to execute when the pressure was highest.”

For Ferroviário de Maputo, this victory was not merely about extending a streak. It was about reaffirming the identity of a team built on resilience, preparation, and shared belief. Trailing for most of the night, they trusted their habits, leaned on one another, and waited for the moment to strike.

In Cairo, that moment arrived late. And when it did, the champions were ready, once again booking their place on the WBLA’s final stage.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]