Costa Do Sol Defeats Maputo Railway 86-78 in Mozambique LMB Basketball Clash

Costa Do Sol secured an important 86-78 victory over Maputo Railway in their Mozambique LMB basketball meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026. In a game that tipped off late at the Pavilhão do Costa Do Sol, the home side used a balanced offensive attack and a decisive fourth-quarter run to hold off a determined Railway comeback.

The win gives Costa Do Sol another valuable result in the Liga Moçambicana de Basquetebol regular season, while Maputo Railway leave with a competitive performance but no reward. The final scoreline reflects a contest that was close for long stretches before the hosts pulled away in the closing minutes.

Match Overview

Costa Do Sol started with energy and moved the ball well against Maputo Railway’s early zone looks. The hosts built a modest lead behind quick transition baskets and effective inside scoring, but Railway stayed within striking distance by attacking the offensive glass and drawing fouls.

The quarter-by-quarter scoring told the story of a tightly contested matchup:

• First quarter: Costa Do Sol 22-18 Maputo Railway
• Second quarter: Costa Do Sol 20-19 Maputo Railway
• Half-time: Costa Do Sol 42-37 Maputo Railway
• Third quarter: Costa Do Sol 23-22 Maputo Railway
• Fourth quarter: Costa Do Sol 21-19 Maputo Railway
• Final: Costa Do Sol 86-78 Maputo Railway

Costa Do Sol led 42-37 at the break and extended the advantage to 65-59 after three quarters. Maputo Railway refused to fade, cutting the deficit to two possessions early in the fourth, but the home team responded with the game’s most important run.

Key Moments

The opening minutes set the tone for Costa Do Sol. The hosts jumped out to an 8-2 lead, forcing Maputo Railway into two early turnovers and converting them into transition points. Railway settled down behind guard Nelson Muianga, who created offense off the dribble and helped his side stay within four points after the first quarter.

Maputo Railway briefly threatened to take control in the second period. A 10-3 run gave them their first lead of the night at 31-30, but Costa Do Sol closed the half with a 12-6 surge. Edson Macuácua capped that stretch with a step-back three-pointer and a pair of free throws, sending the home side into the locker room with momentum.

The decisive sequence arrived in the fourth quarter. After Railway trimmed the lead to 72-70 with just under six minutes remaining, Costa Do Sol answered with a 10-2 run. Almir Nhamussua scored inside, Iván Tembe added a put-back, and Macuácua knocked down a mid-range jumper to push the advantage back to double digits. Maputo Railway never recovered.

Tactical Story

Costa Do Sol won this game with paint production and second-chance points. The hosts scored 44 points inside the arc compared to 34 for Maputo Railway, and they turned 12 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points. That interior edge allowed Costa Do Sol to survive a night when their three-point shooting was merely average.

Maputo Railway’s defensive pressure created problems at times. They forced 16 Costa Do Sol turnovers and used a 1-3-1 zone in the second quarter to slow the home team’s rhythm. However, Railway struggled to contain dribble penetration in the fourth quarter, and Costa Do Sol repeatedly found cutters along the baseline.

The free-throw battle also favored the winners. Costa Do Sol made 18 of 24 attempts from the line, while Maputo Railway finished 14 of 20. In a game decided by eight points, that four-point margin at the stripe proved significant.

Standout Players

Costa Do Sol had four players in double figures, a reflection of their balanced attack:

• Edson Macuácua: 24 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
• Almir Nhamussua: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Iván Tembe: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
• Benício Cuna: 11 points off the bench, including two key fourth-quarter baskets

Maputo Railway were led by their backcourt and frontcourt veterans:

• Nelson Muianga: 21 points, 6 assists, 3 steals
• Celso Machava: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals
• Jorge Matola: 12 points, 7 rebounds
• Rui Mabote: 10 points, 4 rebounds

Macuácua was the game’s most influential player. He controlled tempo, made timely shots, and repeatedly broke Railway’s zone with