YAOUNDE (Cameroon) - There was a fantastic feeling when Cameroon's U17 women's team outdueled continental rivals Tunisia 150-157 in the African Qualifiers to clinch Africa's lone ticket to the FIBA U17 Women’s Skills Challenge 2020.

But beyond the razzmatazz that comes with competing in a global competition, the Cameroonians are poised on impressing and establishing a reputation for themselves.

Cameroon will tussle for supremacy in Group D against China, Romania and Poland. Despite displaying a few frailties during the Regional Qualifiers, the Central Africans are banking on a cast of talented teenagers to worm their way through the next round.

"We have a group of exciting players who’ve been yearning for such an opportunity to display their talent," Cameroon coach Francois Enyegue told FIBA.basketball.

"We are confident with the players we have. They are some of the best players we have and they've been able to improve along the Qualifiers.

"Being part of this tournament is a major challenge for the entire team and the players want to put up a fascinating display."

"THIS TEAM CAN CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS IF WE ATTAIN OUR OBJECTIVES."- Francois Enyegue

Aware that the Central African nation will be facing sides with a great reputation in the first hurdle, focus has been on precision heading to the planetary bonanza.

"We have been centring on the side's accuracy, determination, dexterity and speed to go past our rivals.

"We want to be amongst the best teams in this competition. Getting to this stage of the event is good but when I look at the talent within the group, it think we can make a strong impression.

"The players are confident and the message they’ve got this far has truly motivated them. They know it will be a very exciting experience for them." 

Enyegue is thankful that featuring in the world skills challenge could provide great solace to lovers of the sport across the continent.

But he hopes beyond the on-court exhilaration triggered with rivalling against the world's best, the planetary competition could trigger major developments in youth basketball in Cameroon.

The country's youth basketball teams were out of the spotlight, but Enyegue believes a decent performance in the Skills Challenge could trigger a new impetus towards developing grassroots projects and youth basketball.

"We have a lot of talented teenagers in the country and I believe if this group does something spectacular, they could inspire important decisions.

"The federation registered the youth teams for future continental competitions and if we perform well during this maiden edition, I'm certain more importance will be accorded to youth basketball.

"We have some really good players who abandon the sport because they don't get to represent their country young. But this team can change a lot of things if we attain our objectives," Enyegue concluded.

FIBA