Elephants Edge Gazelles in Gritty Seventh-Place Showdown

The Ivoiran Elephants capped off their 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket campaign on a high note, defeating the Gazelles 78-71 in a spirited seventh-place playoff on Saturday. In a game of two distinct halves, the hosts held off a late Ugandan surge to secure a morale-boosting win in front of their home crowd at the Palais des Sports de Treichville.

The Elephants, determined to end their tournament on a positive note, came out with purpose, particularly in the second quarter, where they completely overwhelmed the Gazelles. After an evenly fought opening period, Côte d’Ivoire took control with a jaw-dropping 25-5 run in the second frame.

Their defensive intensity rattled the East Africans, who struggled to find rhythm offensively. By halftime, the scoreboard read 47-24 in favor of the Ivorians, a gap that looked nearly insurmountable.

We wanted to set the tone early, especially after a couple of tough losses,” said head coach Stéphanie Leite. “Our second quarter showed the kind of defensive identity we’ve been working toward.

The Elephants continued their dominance into the third quarter, stretching their lead to 65-43 with just over a minute left. But the Ugandan Gazelles, known for their heart and resilience, were not ready to fold. An 8-0 run in the final moments of the third trimmed the lead to 65-51 heading into the fourth, injecting new life into the contest.

With renewed urgency, Uganda stormed back in the final quarter. Sparked by the energetic play of captain Jane Asinde, the Gazelles closed the gap to 70-67 with under two minutes remaining. A fast-break finish followed by a pair of timely stops brought the score to 71-69, raising hopes of a stunning comeback.

But with just over a minute to play, a pair of costly fouls handed the momentum—and the free throws—back to the Elephants. The home side held their nerve from the line, converting key opportunities and executing down the stretch to seal the win and claim seventh place.

We have the goodwill now, and we are building something with this squad,” Coach Leite noted after the game. “This championship is very competitive, and we’re taking lessons from the best teams here. I’m confident in the federation and the long-term plan for women’s basketball in Côte d’Ivoire.

Uganda’s Asinde, who was instrumental in the fourth-quarter push, reflected with both pride and pragmatism.

After the loss to South Sudan, the energy just wasn’t the same, and that’s something we need to improve as a team,” said the forward, who has been one of the Gazelles’ top performers. “Coming here and representing Uganda has been a learning curve. We now understand the small margins that can make or break games at this level.

Despite falling short in the playoffs, the Gazelles leave Abidjan with their heads high, having shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament. Their valiant effort in the final quarter against Côte d’Ivoire was a testament to the talent and potential within the squad.

For the Elephants, the win may not have earned them a medal, but it signaled growth, cohesion, and a sense of direction for the national team. With a passionate home crowd behind them and a core of promising players, Côte d’Ivoire is laying the foundation for a brighter future in African women’s basketball.

As the curtain falls on their 2025 AfroBasket campaign, both teams depart with valuable lessons—and a renewed hunger for what lies ahead.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]