DAKAR (Senegal) - The business end of the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 is finally here and there are four key matchups that are expected to create a spark and will go a long way in determining today's winners in the Quarter-Final games at the magnificent Dakar Arena. 

Focus is on their individual brilliance and how it is set to fit into the grand scheme of their teams strategies and overall objective to earn a place in the Semi-Finals with an eye on the prestigious Final and ultimately the African crown. 

The Group Phase has provided a firm foundation and indeed numbers do not lie. These eight players have made magic happen to drive their teams to this level and if that is anything to go by then we have a fierce battle ahead of us this Thursday. 

Aisha Balarabe (Nigeria) vs Chanel Mokango (DR Congo)

On a scale of 1-10, any Nigeria versus Democratic Republic of Congo tie is always upwards of eight on the physical battle square up. Today's fixture is not any different and is expected to reflect this with the main battle presenting itself in the paint. 

Both players made their debut at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket back in 2005 - facing each other in the Semi-Final tie in Abuja. Nigeria came up on top eventually emerging as African champions. This old rivalry will return to the limelight on Thursday as both sides battle for a place in the Semi-Finals. 

Mokango will be key for the Congolese today

Standing at 1.87m (6ft2in),  Mokango has her work cut out against one of the most lethal forwards at the biennial competition and the most experienced having played at the FIBA Basketball Women's World Cup 2018 in Spain where she helped Nigeria finish in eighth place. 

Balarabe is averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game so far in two games while Mokango's strength is picking rebounds averaging 10.3 per game with her points average at 8.7 in three games so far. 

Soraya Degheidy (Egypt) vs Anabela Cossa (Mozambique)

Averaging 18.7 points per game, four rebounds and 1.3 assists, Degheidy is Egypt's most deadly player. Her efficiency in every game coming off the bench is an absolute marvel to watch. From the commentators to the fans, she has captured the hearts of everyone watching and following this competition.

Her never-give-up attitude that guided Egypt to make two double digit comebacks on Wednesday to eventually defeat Cameroon after they led 16-0 in the first quarter, Mozambique will have to keep an eye or even eyes on her. 

However, in Cossa Mozambique have a shooting assassin that can match Degheidy or even better her scoring prowess except that she has been rather 'quiet' so far. Perhaps she is waiting for the knockout stages to work her magic.

Cossa is Mozambique's highest points scorer with an average of nine points in two games and will be hoping to turn on the heat after recovering from a niggling back injury as the southern Africans look to make their second straight Semi-Finals. 

 Touty Gandega (Mali) vs Djefarina Diawarra (Cote d'Ivoire)

Diawara is having the time of her life in Dakar. Leading the tournament's highest points scorers chart with an average 21.7 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 assists, the 24-year old who plies her trade for Mbour Basket in Senegal is playing off 'home' advantage. 

However, against Mali she will be up against Gandega - herself born to a Senegalese father and Malian mother choosing to play for Mali, she will also have a 'home' advantage with her father and close family members in the stands to cheer her on. 

Gandega is averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds and is a leader on and off the court for Mali who are seeking a place in the Semi-Finals to correct their mistakes made at home two years ago when they failed to reach the Final. 

Dakar is, however, a good place for Mali as they won their first and only title here in 2007 defeating Senegal in the final to emerge victorious and write history. 

Both players are very fast on the floor and their basketball acumen is high up there but it remains to be seen how far they can go when they face off. 

Sene Ndeye (Senegal) vs Italee Lucas (Angola) 

The ultimate showdown - the biggest of them all. This Quarter-Final game is expected to spark the most entertaining basketball on display today. 

On the spotlight is the crowd's favourite albeit from an opposing team Angola's Lucas whose basketball moves are always amazing to watch except that today she comes up against the Senegalese crowd very passionate about their own. 

 In Ndeye, Senegal have a lethal shooting point guard that showcased herself against Egypt dropping a joint-game high 17 points and has averaged 11 points, three assists and two rebounds so far while Lucas has scored an average of 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists make for an amazing battle. 

Both players born in January, a year apart are expected to create a spark on both ends of the court and whoever comes up on top could easily lead their side to the Promised Land.

Today's winners will automatically qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics pre-qualifying tournament set for November this year set aside for the top six teams from this competition. 

FIBA