Cameroon beat Mozambique 60-40 to finish 5th at AfroBasket 2025. Jessica Thomas continued her scintillating displays as she scored 19 points in a dominant team display. The win secures a World Cup qualifiers spot for the Lionesses of Cameroon.
Last Updated on
August 2, 2025
Cameroon’s Lionesses roared back to settle an old score, dismantling Mozambique 60-40 in a commanding performance to secure fifth place at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket — one spot better than their 2023 finish.
In a fiery rematch of the previous edition’s fifth-place game, which saw the Central Africans fall short, Cameroon flipped the script with style and swagger.
Jessica Thomas led the charge with 19 points, while the team’s suffocating defense and smooth offense overwhelmed a stunned Mozambique side from tip-off. Cameroon raced to a 13-2 lead within the first five minutes, setting the tone for a one-sided affair.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lionesses were up 19-8. At halftime, Coach Ahmed Mbombo Njoya’s squad had carved out a daunting 18-point lead. The third quarter was more of the same — aggressive, disciplined, and clinical, with Cameroon outscoring Mozambique 19-12.
Even with a quiet final quarter (4-9), Cameroon’s grip on the game never loosened.
Statistically, they dominated: 12-for-29 from the field (to Mozambique’s 9-for-29), a 47-38 advantage on the boards, 21 points off turnovers, and 8 second-chance points.
“This was a goal for us,” said forward Marina Ewodo. “We’re happy to have finished fifth and excited to qualify for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.”
This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement from Cameroon and a great motivator heading into future competitions.
