Olympic Qualifiers: Angola beat Argentina 59-58

The Africa Queens lost the first quarter to the Argentine by 17-07 points but rallied back to pick the second, third and fourth quarters (16-09, 15-11 and 22-21).

Three Angolan players were in superb form on the night with Astrida Vincente leading the floor with 17 points, forward Nassecela Mauricio had a double double of 16 points and 13 rebounds while Nadir Manuel complete the good work with a double double of 12 points and 14rebounds.

Africa second representative at the qualifiers, Senegal crashed out of proceeding after losing her second group game to Japan Tuesday evening.

The Lioness who were roundly beaten by Latvia (94-34) in her first group-A game Monday were unlucky against the Japanese losing by two points margin 71-69 to bid the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games goodbye.

Bineta Diouf, Fatou Dieng and Aya Traore outstanding performance not withstanding, the first runner-up and host of the 20th FIBA Africa Championship for Women last year still went down to the more determined Japanese side who ends Nigeria hope of making it from the group stage of the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Diouf had a game high of 20 points and 11 rebounds, Dieng recorded 18 points and 3 rebounds while Traore contributed 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists to Senegal failed attempt at securing a ticket to the women basketball event of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Angola will this evening attempt to book a place for the games proper when it takes to the floor against Czech Republic who also defeated the Argentine in her first group game by 77-55 points.

In other games billed for today Brazil will battle Spain for the first position in group-C, both sides enjoyed a smooth first matches beating less fancied Fiji Island.

Latvia will take on Japan for the first ticket in group-A, the odds seems favour Latvia who was ruthless against Senegal but the Japanese can post some surprises and the last match will be between Belarus and Chinese Taipei. Winner of this match qualifies for the quarter-finals and a chance to fight for the fifth ticket to Beijing as the group leader, Cuba is through to the Olympic Games after beating both Belarus and Taipei.