PUNTA GORDA (USA) - Ramses Lonlack became the face of Cameroon women's basketball in recent years, and after a two-year hiatus, her return is getting closer and closer.

The 31-year-old is preparing her return to basketball courts after giving birth to her first child two years ago, and it's her new life as a mother that keeps her motivated to try and help Cameroon in the upcoming FIBA Women's AfroBasket Qualifiers.

'Africa's Queen', as Lonlack is affectionally known in basketball circles, sat out the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 in Dakar, where Cameroon registered their worst result ever in the history of the tournament, finishing tenth out twelve.

Lonlack is adamant that she still has a lot of basketball to offer and with the help of her teammates they can turn things around.  

"I am not done yet with basketball," she told FIBA.basketball from her base in Punta Gorda, Florida.

"Cameroon needs me as a leader and I will be that leader," said the woman who led Cameroon in scoring in the last three major internationals she represented the 'Indomitable Lionesses'.  

"The president [of the Federation] has contacted me and I am on board to bring Cameroon back on the top. It won’t be easy. I know the challenge and I also know what needs to be done, so I have a plan in place. As one of the leaders, it is my job to bring Cameroon back to the top with help of other players."

The 1.74m (5ft 8in) guard aims to resume her basketball career better and stronger than ever.

"My future with the Cameroon national team is bright," Lonlack emphasised, adding that being a mother doesn't mean she can no longer play.

"I have so much basketball to play. My daughter Diana will watch me play and I know my country is still counting on me to lead them to the gold medal. My fans are waiting for my return and I will not disappoint them. I will fight like I always do and having my daughter in the background is a plus for me.

What exactly means bringing Cameroon among Africa's best? You may ask. 

Five years ago, Lonlack and Co showed their real potential when they hosted the African Championship in Yaounde.

The Cameroonians beat Mozambique and Mali in the Group Phase, denied Nigeria in the semis before reaching their first-ever Final in the competition.

A full stadium cheering on their heroes night in, night out, was what Lonlack calls the pinnacle of her basketball career, but the Senegalese proved too strong to beat in the final as they claimed their first continental trophy since 2009.

 
Lonlack admits that she could write a book about her FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015 experience. 

The former Memphis Tigers standout led Cameroon in scoring with 15.5 points, yet the Cameroonians fell short of automatic qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"2015 marked a year for Cameroon women’s basketball," Lonlack recalled. 

"Playing in front of my family and friends was the best thing that ever happened to my career. Being able to carry my country to the final was my dream but doing it in front of my loved ones was a dream come true. I will never forget the [FIBA Women's ] AfroBasket 2015 in Cameroon because that year was a turning-point in my career and a year my father would have been so proud of me. But instead my mother was the happiest woman in Cameroon as her daughter that she long waited 15 years to bring to the world was carrying a whole country in her hands."

Following FIBA's latest ranking update in February 2020, Cameroon appeared as Africa's No. 7. In contrast teams, like Mozambique and Egypt climbed to top-6.

The FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015 All-Tournament team (from left to right): Aya Traore (SEN), Adaora Elonu (NiGR), Geraldine Roberts (GAB), Lonlack (CMR) and Deolinda Ngulela (MOZ)

"The way Cameroon can return to the top is to get back to fundamentals and get ready for [international] competitions. Cameroon has many talented players that are willing to play but they are just waiting for the right moment."

"Cameroon will be back in top as U20 and U18 teams will begin competition that will help us get exposed and many talented players will be added to the senior national team. The federation is putting in place a system that can help the development of young players. We will be back in the top before I retire. This won’t be easy but it is a working in progress."

FIBA