VOIRON (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Take a closer look at how Algeria women's basketball has evolved in the past few years and two names are likely to stand out.

Under former coach Pierre Bressant, Rachida Belaidi and Nesrine Taibi helped their country hold off Tunisia to qualify for AfroBasket Women 2013 as Algeria made its first appearance in the tournament since 2003.

And the duo, who plays for local GS Petroliers, did it again two weeks ago, sparking Algeria to book their ticket for this year's edition of the African Championship, taking place in Yaounde, Cameroon, from 24 September-3 October.

Despite Algeria's success in Zone 1, after beating Morocco in two games, the team's head coach Azzedine Labouize feels there is a lot to be done to reach the competitive level for AfroBasket Women 2015, a qualifier tournament for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

"As we speak, I have to admit that we are not ready yet to take on teams such as Mali, Angola or Senegal," Labouize told FIBA.com.

Labouize took charge last summer, replacing former Algeria international Sofiane Boulaya, who had guided Algeria to a 11th-place finish in Maputo.

France-based Labouize has high hopes for his country, but is going to need key players such as Belaidi and Taibi to step up and take the team, where he feels they belong.

While Belaid sat out Game 2 against Morocco due to an injury, Taibi played both games, despite a back injury.

Nesrine [Taibi] is one of our key players. We're going to need her at her best to compete against Africa top teams. - Labouize

Taibi, who averaged 9.3 points and and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game in Maputo two years ago, left good impressions according to Labouize, who coached Algeria's men's team at AfroBasket 2003 in Alexandria, Egypt.

"She is getting better and better. She can shoot from the three-point line, play low post, and we have to benefit from her ability to score and play defense," said the coach.

"Belaidi is an experienced player who we can always trust.

"We have a few months to get ready for the tournament, and our experienced players could play a key role for us.

Our objective is to finish in the top eight at AfroBasket Women 2015. - Labouize

"We need to work hard to reach an acceptable level of competitiveness," Labouize recalled.

Algeria have been drawn in Group B of the African Championship along with defending champions Angola, Senegal, two teams to be determined through qualifiers and another team to be invited through a wild card process.

"It is going to be difficult for us," Labouize said. "But we have chances of finishing in top four of our group."

Algeria became the ninth national team join Africa’s elite women’s basketball tournament.

FIBA