MATERO Magic’s journey to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers with a loss after going down 81- 51 against Mozambican giants Ferroviario da Beira at the Inzibio Hall in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Magic failed to show their spark as they lost the first three quarters before staging a rebound in the final quarter but it was too late.
The Zambian champions lost 26-10 in the first quarter and went on to lose by four baskets in the second quarter after recording a 17-21 loss.
The Mozambicans guaranteed a winning start when they emerged winners of the third quarter with an impressive 21 – 7 score line.
Magic won the fourth quarter after recording a 17 – 13 win but the game was well beyond their reach.
Magic will now have to look to their game against Cape Town Tigers of South Africa on Friday before an encounter with Roche-Bois Warriors Sports Club of Mauritius at the weekend.
