Host club Matero Magic suffered their first defeat of the 2026 Road to BAL Division East qualifiers after falling 94–83 to Mozambique’s Ferroviario da Beira in a tense showdown at NASDEC on Wednesday night. The reigning Mozambican champions maintained their unbeaten run in Lusaka, securing back-to-back wins that solidified their dominance early in the campaign.
Beira’s guard Ayad Munguambe led all scorers with 24 points, setting the pace for his team’s high-intensity performance. His consistent shooting and control of the tempo gave Beira an early edge that Matero struggled to overturn. Ketorrious Bouchum added 20 points while Joshua Thomas contributed 19, both capitalizing on defensive lapses from the Zambian side. Ermelindo Novela chipped in with 13 points, hitting four of his eight attempts from beyond the arc, as Beira delivered their second consecutive 90-plus point outing.
Matero Magic showed fight throughout the contest but were ultimately undone by turnovers and defensive breakdowns in key moments. Lars Ishimwe led the charge for the hosts, displaying strong offensive movement and leadership on the floor, though his efforts were not enough to close the gap. Despite flashes of brilliance, Matero’s defense struggled to contain Beira’s fast-paced transitions and outside shooting.
The result leaves Matero needing a response in their upcoming fixtures if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive. Head Coach Mwape Banda will look to tighten defensive rotations and improve offensive efficiency before the next matchup.
Ferroviario da Beira, on the other hand, continue to send a clear message to their Group B rivals. Their balanced offense, strong perimeter play, and depth across all positions mark them as early favorites to advance to the next stage of the Basketball Africa League qualifiers.
The defeat serves as a valuable lesson for Matero Magic, who will aim to regroup quickly and deliver a stronger performance in their next outing as they continue their pursuit of a place in the BAL.