CAIRO (Egypt) - It has been 10 years since Egypt lifted the FIBA U18 Women's African Championship, and then falling in two consecutive Finals in 2014 and 2016.

The North Africans are always close but yet so far from attaining continental glory. 

When they host this year's edition in December in the capital city Cairo, they will once again attempt to overcome Africa's most successful nation Mali who have won a record seven trophies. 

Playing at home according to Egypt's captain Yara Osama is an opportunity that they want to maximise and dethrone the West Africans who have been a hedge of thorns in their search for success on the continent. 

Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Osama said, "Playing in our hometown is truly an amazing feeling because we will get to have the support of our families, friends and all the other basketball supporters who live here.

"There is no doubt that Mali is a good team and they have won so many championships but this year is ours. We have the best coach and staff. We are going to go the extra mile and win that trophy because we owe it to ourselves, our coach and our country. I do hope that we take home that trophy," the center explains in depth.

 Osama exchanging pre-match gifts at the U16 event in 2017

This current Egyptian side knows a thing or two about the current generation of the Mali U18 side. Three years ago at the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship in Mozambique, the Malians made light work of Egypt 66-33 in the tournament's opener before going on to win the title. 

Egypt have a bone to pick and next month's event presents the perfect opportunity to settle an old score and show the world that they have what it takes to overcome the best team in Africa.

"We have been working really, really hard the past couple of months and we are really doing great as a team. Our coach is really going all out for us to do our best. We are eager to win and do something special this season. During practice, we train as much as possible on defence and offence equally because we want to master both in order to get a great result," Osama said.

Even though the ongoing coronavirus pandemic caused a sudden stop in sports activities across the world, a recent return to the courts has ensured that there is hope for international engagements while respecting health protocols and guidelines. 

Osama was quick to note that, "Of course the pandemic created a pause for all the teams and we had to rebuild what we worked on before this situation. I think that all teams have an equal chance to win this competition because we all went through the same circumstances but despite that, we have come a long way and we are ready to crush any team that tries to stand in our way after all, it is a game, the winner takes it all."

Egypt, Mali and Rwanda are the three teams that have confirmed their participation so far. 

FIBA