AfroBasket Women 2015 - Team Profile: Gabon

LIBREVILLE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket Women 2015, we take a closer look at all 12 participating teams competing in the championship running from 24 September-3 October in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Team: Gabon
FIBA Women Ranking: 73th
Last participation at AfroBasket Women: 2005 (1 win, 4 losses; 9th place)
Best results in the history of AfroBasket Women: 9th
Qualified for AfroBasket Women 2015: Winner of Zone IV Qualifiers

History/Qualification: Gabon will be making their return in Africa's leading women's basketball tournament following a 10-year absence.

Back in 2005, they made their debuts in the event held in Abuja, Nigeria, where the finished at 9th place.

For this year’s tournament, the Gabonese secured their qualification as the finished on top position ahead of Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo thanks to their 3-1 record in the FIBA Africa zone 3 qualifier that took place from 3-8 March in Libreville.

Gabon have been drawn in Group A against hosts Cameroon, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda and Mali. 

Key Player: Geraldine Robert Yema, who won the Eurocup Women 2015 with France side Villeneuve d'Ascq, had a pivotal role in the Qualifiers.

She will also be the main asset of Gabon and one of the attractions of the AfroBasket Women 2015.

For her debuts with the national team, Robert averaged 22.7 points and 13.5 rebounds and was named MVP of the qualifying tournament.

Outlook: Gabon has set new strategy that helps them make a comeback at the continental stage.  In order to have a better performance in Yaoundé, Gabon has called up all their best players who ply their trade in foreign leagues.

Possible outcome: The team could reach the Quarter-Finals.

FIBA