Mali stormed into the 2025 AfroBasket semifinals with an 86–68 win over Mozambique, led by Djeneba Ndiaye’s 18 points and Sika Koné’s double-double. Despite a spirited third-quarter push from Mozambique, Mali’s depth and dominance on the boards proved decisive. The win sets up a semifinal showdown with South Sudan, while Mozambique drops to placement games.
Last Updated on
July 31, 2025
Mali powered into their fifth consecutive AfroBasket semifinal in eight years, cruising past Mozambique 86-68 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket.
While Mali are seasoned semifinal contenders, Mozambique who last reached this stage in 2019 were eager to re-establish themselves among the continent’s elite.
Mozambique opened the game with a silky jump shot from Silvia Veloso, but just 17 seconds later, the formidable Alima Dembele bulldozed her way into the paint for a layup that tied the score, igniting what would become a dominant performance from her in the opening quarter.
Mozambique attempted to keep pace, but Dembele continued her onslaught, adding six more points to put Mali ahead 14-5 midway through the quarter. A pair of free throws from Leia Dongue and a quick-fire four points from Stefania Chiziane trimmed the deficit to five. However, a dagger three from Kadidia Maiga and steady contributions from Sira Thienou saw Mali finish the quarter on top, 23-11.
The second quarter was a tighter affair. Mozambique, led by the energetic duo of Chinaya Pinto and Chiziane (both scoring five points), fought back valiantly. But Mali responded in kind, with Djeneba Ndiaye nailing two momentum-shifting three-pointers and pouring in nine points overall in the quarter. Mali held a comfortable 51-36 lead at halftime.
Mozambique came out of the break with renewed urgency, upping the tempo and clinching the third quarter 18-15. Veteran Leia Dongue showed her class with six points, while Chiziane matched her output. But Mali’s deep bench flexed its muscles—Maimouna Haidara stepped up with seven critical points, helping her team maintain a 12-point cushion heading into the final frame.
Despite Mozambique's gritty third-quarter showing, the Southern Africans unraveled in the fourth, as Mali closed out the game with authority to seal the 86-68 win.
Djeneba Ndiaye led all scorers with 18 points, while teammate Sika Koné recorded a double-double—12 points and 12 rebounds. Stefania Chiziane stood out for Mozambique with 17 points and five boards.
Mali’s dominance was clear: they outrebounded Mozambique 44-33, forced turnovers that led to 22 points, tallied 21 fast break points, and saw their bench contribute a hefty 36 points.
Postgame, a jubilant Sika Koné praised her team’s focus and resilience:
"It was a tough game, but we were ready. We stayed focused and stuck to the game plan. Everyone brought energy, and we knew our moment would come. Now we shift our focus to South Sudan—it won’t be easy, but we’re prepared."
Mozambique coach Nasir Sale, visibly disappointed, pointed to his team's sloppiness as the key issue:
"We committed too many turnovers and struggled defensively. We missed a lot of our shots from deep. We’ll just have to keep working and improving."
Mozambique will now face Uganda in a placement game on Friday, August 1, while Mali brace for a high-stakes semifinal clash against South Sudan on Saturday, August 2.
.jpg)
