BULAWAYO (FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup 2018) - A debut appearance awaits Zimbabwean outfit Lakers when they line up at the FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup from November 16-25 in Maputo, Mozambique but fright is not anywhere near their camp. 

Against the top teams on the African continent, the Bulawayo-based side that is high on positive vibes feels that they have what it takes to compete at this stage and learn from this experience. 

 Captain Pretty Tinarwo told FIBA.basketball in an exclusive interview that the journey to the continental showpiece was a bumpy ride but they have since embarked on making amends. 

"OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO LEARN BECAUSE IT IS OUR FIRST TIME. IF WE CAN WIN THAT WILL BE A BONUS BUT WE ARE GOING TO COMPETE NOT TO FULFIL A FIXTURE."- Tinarwo

Playing in front of a supportive home crowd in the Zone 6 Qualifiers guided them to their first ever African tournament and it is this same momentum that they want to build on to further extend their growth path. 

"We shall give everything that we have on defence, offence and also play as a team. Teamwork is very key to winning since this is a team sport."

"Our main objective is to learn because it is our first time. If we can win that will be a bonus but we are going to compete not to fulfil a fixture."

"Our qualification is a big achievement and a sign that there is an improvement in women's basketball in Zimbabwe. We feel honoured and this will be good exposure for us as a team."

Lakers, who take their name from the NBA side Los Angeles Lakers and actually don the same colours of purple and gold, will be hoping that they tag along a winning spirit like their compatriots of the American west coast currently. 

Reigning champions Primeiro de Agosto, hosts Ferroviario de Maputo, Equity Hawks and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), five-time record winners InterClube,Lakers, FAP of Cameroon and DR Congo's INSS are the sides that have booked their places at the 12-team continental competition. 

FIBA