Ferroviario De Maputo Begins WBLA Defense In Cairo With Dominant Win Over Nigeria's First Bank

Ferroviario De Maputo Begins WBLA Defense In Cairo With Dominant Win Over First Bank

Mozambique’s Ferroviário de Maputo began their 2025 FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa campaign in dominant fashion, overpowering Nigeria’s First Bank 85–48 in Cairo as they launched their title defense with authority. The three-time champions showcased a balanced and efficient team performance, led by forward Stefiani Chiazane, who topped all scorers with 22 points and two rebounds. She received solid support from Ingvild Mucauro with 13 points, while Destiny Pitts and Makira Cook added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

For First Bank, forward Theresa Ebiega was a standout in an otherwise difficult game. She paced her team with 11 points and worked tirelessly to create chances, contributing four assists and one rebound.

Ferroviário took control from the opening tip, racing ahead with an immediate 10–0 run before delivering a devastating 16–0 surge later in the first quarter to build a commanding 34–7 lead. Although First Bank responded with a more competitive second quarter, losing the frame by just 18–12 with the early deficit proved insurmountable. Mozambique carried a 51–19 advantage into halftime, firmly in command of the contest.

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Heading into the second half, First Bank faced a steep challenge. They needed to build on the improved defensive resistance shown in the second quarter while also finding consistent scoring options against a well-organized Ferroviário side. However, the third quarter unfolded much like the first, with the Mozambican champions maintaining control. Ferroviário closed the period with a 19–15 advantage, leaving First Bank unable to mount any meaningful comeback and trailing by 36 points heading into the final quarter.

It was a difficult night for the Nigerians, whose challenges at the continental level were laid bare against a Ferroviário team long regarded as a traditional powerhouse. The dominance continued in the final stanza, with Ferroviário dictating the pace from start to finish. Any faint hopes of a dramatic turnaround were quickly extinguished as the defending champions edged the quarter 14–13 to secure a commanding 37-point victory.

The result puts immediate pressure on First Bank, who are returning to the competition after a six-year absence and arrived in Cairo as recently crowned Zone Three champions. With a competitive group ahead, the Nigerian representatives must regroup quickly and address the lapses exposed in their opening game.

Statistically, the numbers underscored Ferroviário’s superiority. They turned defensive pressure into offense, scoring 36 points off turnovers compared to First Bank’s 15. They also dominated in transition, outpacing the Nigerians 40–9 on fast breaks, and controlled the interior with a 42–12 advantage in points in the paint. Although First Bank managed to keep the battle on the boards relatively close—narrowly losing second-chance points 13–12—they struggled to cope with Ferroviário’s relentless defensive intensity and fluid offensive execution

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Africabasket caught up with Destiny Pitts after the game and she shared her thoughts on the opening win.

I feel like we came out really strong and we had a good start to this tournament. We didn't have a lot of time to practise with one another, so despite that, we still came out really strong and played really hard. It was a good start for day one. I think it's just important for us to always play hard and play with intensity because we want to be ready for each game and take one game at a time. Like you said, I think this game taught us a lot and to play with different lineups and see different lineups and maybe run through more of our plays and get more familiar with one another. I think this game helped that a lot as well.

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When asked about what the mindset in the team and how the team hopes to approach the rest of the tournament being the defending champions of the competition, she had this to say,

You can't look ahead because if you start looking ahead, then you're going to lose focus on the game that you have that's important for that day. Obviously, taking one game at a time and no game is more important than the next. Each game is equally as important and I think we're going to do really well. We really want to defend our title. 

She went on to add that any team that gets complacent can be beaten and her team will be hoping to avoid such acts especially after seeing one of the favorites, APR of Rwanda lose earlier in the day.

I think it just attests to the level of this tournament that anybody can beat anybody on any given day. If you look at our team last year, on paper we were supposed to lose in a championship by 20 and we won. I think on any given day, any team can beat anybody and that's why you have to prepare for that day and not look ahead. Maybe just focus on the team and focus on playing hard and playing together and not get your head too big about what people are saying. Just keep the noise blocked out and stay focused within your team.

Ferroviario De Maputo face FAP who are still chasing a win while First Bank will hope to redeem themselves against FPA on Sunday.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]