CNSS delivered a ruthless 66–42 dismantling of Brave Hearts in their FWBL Africa opener, powered by 13 points each from Ketia Mbella and Lalla Traoré. Despite Tadiwa Mabika’s 16-point effort, Malawi never threatened as DR Congo dominated end to end.
Last Updated on
December 6, 2025
In a game that looked more like a clinic than an opener, C.N.S.S. (DR Congo) delivered a commanding statement in their first outing of the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa 2025, dismantling Brave Hearts Basketball Club (Malawi) 66–42. From the opening tip, CNSS made one thing unmistakably clear: they didn’t come to Cairo just to participate, they came to dominate.
Leading the way were Ketia Mbelu and Lalla Traoré, each finishing with 13 points and combining for more than half of Brave Hearts’ total. Their poised drives, sharp shot selection, and constant pressure kept Malawi’s defense reeling all night. Brave Hearts found a glimmer of hope in Tadiwa Mabika, whose 16-point showing was commendable, but her efforts were quickly swallowed by the wave of CNSS control.
For the rest of the Brave Hearts roster, offensive execution was a struggle. CNSS defended with suffocating intensity — doubling smartly, closing out with purpose, and crashing the boards with conviction. Every missed shot from Malawi seemed to take more wind out of their sails, and by halftime, the contest already felt out of reach.
On the offensive end, CNSS looked polished and purposeful. Their ball movement was crisp, their passing unselfish, and their shot selection efficient. Mbelu and Traoré operated in near-perfect sync, alternating between drives, kick-outs, and smooth mid-range finishes. When one was contained, the other seamlessly took the reins, leaving Brave Hearts consistently a step behind.
Even with Mabika’s standout performance, Brave Hearts simply couldn’t find stability. CNSS’s defensive pressure disrupted their rhythm, their backcourt was overwhelmed, and their rebounding left them exposed time and again. By the second quarter, their energy visibly dipped.
In the end, CNSS executed their game plan with precision and authority. The 66–42 scoreline didn’t flatter them. If anything, it felt inevitable. Brave Hearts may have arrived on the court ready to compete, but CNSS ensured they never truly settled into the game.
CNSS made Brave Hearts pay for their frailties, scoring 32 points from turnovers, displaying athleticism with 26-10 scored from fastbreaks with a strong bench that netted 23 points while Brave Hearts bench looked almost invisible with a meagre five point contribution.
If this opening performance is a preview of what’s to come, CNSS won’t just be contenders, they might be the team everyone else needs to study. And for Brave Hearts, this wasn’t merely a setback; it was a stark and very public reminder of the level required at this stage.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
