MILAN (Afrobasket Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Mozambique's Clarisse Machanguana feels she is on a mission to share her two decades of basketball experience with her country's prospective younger players.

Having played professionally in the USA, Brazil, South Korea, France, Spain and Italy, Machanguana in October agreed to play for Mozambican club Liga Desportiva de Maputo at the African Champions Cup for Women (ACCW).

Not only was she named the tournament's MVP, she also helped her team win their first ACCW title ever. She headlined the All-Tournament Team alongside Mozambique internationals Deolinda Ngulela and Leia Tania Dongue, as well as Angolans Astrida Vicente and Nacissela Maurício.

At the age of 39, Machanguana says that playing for Liga Desportiva meant giving hope and experience to young players from Mozambique

“It is about helping basketball in my country, and I am pleased that I had a positive contribution,” she told FIBA.com.

Transitioning from the Italian Serie A2 club Passalacqua Ragusa to ACCW contender Liga Desportiva was a matter of time and quick learning, she said.

“It was not an easy process, in a short period of time, to join a team that had already its own chemistry,” Machanguana recalled.

The 1.96m center is Mozambique´s most famous basketball player, especially after playing four seasons in the WNBA with Los Angeles Sparks, Charlotte Sting and Orlando Miracle.

Future with national team

Machanguana returned to the national team last June at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Ankara after a five-year absence, having last played for her country at the 2007 Afrobasket.

The timing could not be better as her country will host the 2013 Afrobasket for Women.

Asked about her availability for the next year's Mozambique showdown - a qualifier tournament for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women - she indicated that she hopes to be there.

“If I am fit by then, and if they invite me, I am going to think about it. It is important to give hope to young players,” she said.

“Playing at home is always stimulating.”

With Mozambique women's basketball having shown signs of improvement over the past two years, Machanguana is looking forward to seeing her country dominate the game on the continent.

“We are going to need to be at our best, and it could be the best gift to younger players and our fans,” she indicated.

And while Machanguana believes retirement is close, it is a decision that is out of her hands.

“I have been joking that I am turning 50 (she is 39), and I am still capable of playing,” she said.

“Playing at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women? Well, it is in God's hands.

“But what player would not like to play at such a big event? I would.”

Should Mozambique finish in the top two at next year's Afrobasket, Machanguana will stand big chances of being named in her national team's final squad for Turkey in 2014.

“My best friend (Portugal international) Ticha Penicheiro has already announced her intention of retiring from the WNBA, and I am still around,” she pointed out.

“Honestly, when I was younger I used to watch players such as Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan limping on court, and I used to think 'come on, it is time to stop'.

“Now I look at me, I still feel well, and I just think people might be thinking 'Oh my God, she is still playing.'”

FIBA