Sporting Clube de Luanda opened their WBLA Zone 6 Qualifiers campaign with a dominant 98–52 win over Namibia’s UNAM Phoenix. The Angolan champions showcased depth, balance, and defensive strength, sending a clear message of intent toward the WBLA Finals in Cairo.
Last Updated on
November 8, 2025
Sporting Clube de Luanda made an emphatic statement to open their Zone 6 campaign, dismantling Namibia’s UNAM Phoenix 98-52 in a commanding performance that left little doubt about their intentions.
The Angolan champions have one clear goal in mind: to book their ticket to Cairo for the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) this December, and they took a confident first step in that direction.
If there were a single phrase to capture the essence of this performance, it would be “double digits.” Sporting Clube de Luanda turned the game into a showcase of depth, balance, and discipline, with four players scoring in double figures and three others grabbing at least 11 rebounds. It was a team effort that reflected both the quality and maturity of a squad built for bigger challenges.
UNAM Phoenix showed early promise, fueled by home support and energy, keeping pace in the opening quarter. The Namibians trailed by just three points after the first ten minutes (26-23), but that brief resistance only seemed to awaken the Angolans’ competitive instincts.
In the second quarter, Sporting Clube de Luanda shifted gears completely, tightening their defence and accelerating their offence. The result was a stunning 30-12 quarter that broke the game open and sent them to halftime with a commanding 21-point lead (56-35).
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From that moment, there was no turning back. The third quarter saw Luanda at their most ruthless, holding UNAM to a mere three points, a defensive clinic that underscored their dominance on both ends of the court.
By the time the scoreboard read 81-38, the contest had effectively been decided. The final period offered the hosts a slight reprieve as they managed 14 points, but the Angolans still closed the game firmly to complete their 98-52 triumph.
Individually, several players stood out in what was, above all, a collective masterpiece. Nelma Cunha led the charge with 20 points, five rebounds, and five steals, dictating the tempo with poise and aggression. Conceiça Caetano added 15 points and three assists, while Magda Mussol (12 points, seven rebounds) and Sandra Gomes (11 points) reinforced Luanda’s depth and versatility.
On the other side, Victoria Netumbo was UNAM Phoenix’s main spark with 16 points, while Limene recorded a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds). Yet her 11 turnovers illustrated the heavy toll of Luanda’s relentless defensive pressure — a factor that disrupted the Namibian offence throughout the night.
The victory propels Sporting Clube de Luanda to the forefront of the Zone 6 qualifiers, positioning them as one of the early frontrunners to secure a spot in the BAL Finals. Their next challenge comes against Malawi’s Bravehearts Basketball Club, a matchup that will test their consistency and ability to maintain momentum. For UNAM Phoenix, however, the road ahead is steep: a win against the same Bravehearts side is now essential to keep their hopes alive.
Sporting’s message, though, could not be clearer. Every aspect of their performance, from the numbers to the intensity and execution, spoke of ambition measured in double digits. In Luanda’s case, those numbers do not merely define the scoreboard; they define their intent to stand among the continent’s elite.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Women's Basketball League Africa]
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