Angola Secure a 74-62 Victory Over Morocco in Group B Clash

In an intense Group B encounter, Angola’s U18 women’s basketball team emerged victorious over Morocco with a well-managed 74-62 win. Despite facing a challenging start in the first quarter, Angola took control of the game, showing resilience and strong team play to pull ahead.

Morocco came out strong in the opening quarter, putting pressure on Angola's defense and taking an early lead. Angola struggled to find their rhythm initially, with Morocco's aggressive play and solid defense keeping them on their heels. However, Angola’s composure and tactical adjustments in the second quarter proved to be the turning point of the game.

Angola's Daniela Gongo was the standout performer of the match, showcasing her scoring ability and leadership on the court. Gongo dropped an impressive 25 points and grabbed 4 rebounds, guiding her team to a much-needed win. Her efficiency in both scoring and playmaking kept Angola's offense flowing, especially during crucial moments when Morocco seemed poised for a comeback.

Morocco, despite the loss, had a star of their own in Eiza Louveton, who put in an XXL performance with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Louveton was a dominant force on the court, particularly in the paint, where her rebounding and scoring kept Morocco within striking distance throughout the game. However, despite her remarkable individual effort, Morocco couldn’t capitalize on key opportunities, and Angola’s balanced team play was a burden the Moroccans couldn't handle.

After trailing early, Angola took control of the game in the second half, tightening their defense and improving their shooting efficiency. Their ability to manage the pace and maintain composure was key in securing the win. Gongo’s scoring, combined with contributions from Angola’s supporting cast, allowed them to stretch their lead in the third quarter.

While Angola started slowly, they demonstrated resilience and superior game management to secure the victory. Gongo’s scoring and leadership on the court were decisive, while Morocco’s inability to convert crucial plays in the second half ultimately cost them the game, despite Louveton’s valiant effort.

"The key to wining the game was the motivation, individually and also collectively. We will work, and we know that it won’t be easy, but we’re gonna start the 1st quarter with the same motivation as today’s game, and we’ll win the game." Angolan forward Ketcha Nganga stated after the game.

With this win, Angola solidified their position as second in Group B and will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games against Zambia. For Morocco, Louveton’s outstanding performance offers hope, but the team will need to improve their execution in crunch moments to turn these efforts into wins in future matches.

‍

Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]

‍