CAIRO (Egypt) - The last time Egypt won the FIBA Women's AfroBasket trophy, the North African nation was known as the United Arab Republic and the USA was planning to send the first man to the moon.

In 1966, the United Arab Republic won two games and lost one in a round-robin four-team tournament to lift the first ever African women's title and successfully defended it two years down the road going undefeated in four games in another round-robin five-team event.

The following year in 1969, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) pulled off the renowned Apollo 10 Mission successfully sending Neil Armstrong to the moon eventually becoming the first ever human being to achieve this feat. 

As NASA celebrates 50 years of this achievement this year, Egypt look on and reminisce the old times when they were an African super power in African women's basketball and have vowed to do everything that is within their means to go back to the top where they belong. 

Playing in Dakar, Senegal at this year's edition from August 9-18 will be their third consecutive appearance, a feat that has given them confidence that they can find their way to the top if only they can improve on certain aspects of their game. 

In 2013 and 2015, they finished in eighth place improving one place up to seventh two years in Bamako, Mali but they now feel this is the time to move on to the next level. 

FIBA World Ranking: No. 8 in Africa (55th in the world)

Goal: They have been there before albeit not this generation and now Egypt feel like they can claim a place at the high table first to take one game at a time but with an ultimate goal to win the trophy. Why not? 

Latest Results: (Seventh place finish at FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 in Bamako, Mali)

Quote: "Our objective is different this year. We just want to reach the final four. We did our best in the last edition in Mali and this is our target to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics," emphasised Noor Talaat, Egyptian shooting guard also named Most Valuable Player at the Zone 5 Qualifiers in Kampala, Uganda early this month. 

Play style: This current Egyptian side plays with so much commitment on every possession, executing their game plan and minimising turnovers while running the floor like they own it. They have no respect for pedigree whatsoever because for them, writing a new chapter and defining their destiny is more important than playing the blame game. 

They are very quick on their feet and the fast break game looks good on them. They are small in size and this works very well for them because then they run at their opponents on every possession and play solid defence in and out of the paint. 

When they open the floodgates with their three pointers, it seems like a high end shooting clinic only with tough defence. It is always a beautiful sight to see. 

How can they shock the continent? Not many expect Egypt to be an outright title favourite heading to Dakar and this in itself should work to their advantage. 

Nothing beats the idea that your opponents think little of you and you come into a tournament as an underdog. That said, Egypt should look to stick to the basics of the game. Where they do not have size in the paint, they must play as a team at all times and help the forwards on both offence and defence. 

Head coach: Ehab Alalfy showed at the Zone 5 Qualifiers in Kampala that he is up for the challenge and will take risks to get the best out of his team. The writing is on the wall and he definitely has his work cut out ahead of the showpiece in Dakar. 

Key player: Soraya Deghady. At 24 years, Deghady is peaking at the right time in her basketball career being central to a young and expressive Egyptian side seeking to charter unknown territories by this generation. Inspiring Al Ahly to the Egyptian league title this season has given her the confidence to come and replicate that form on the national side. Her three pointers and efficiency are a marvel and this will be very important for Egypt. 

Rising star: Noor Talaat is quite an impeccable player. She is very disciplined on both ends of the court - the kind of player even as an opponent, it is easier to admire her from the corner of your eye before remembering to mark her on defence. She plays with a lot of passion and wants to win every game. Losing takes a toll on her and because of that she throws everything she has on the court. 

Overview: They come into this tournament as the outright underdogs but underestimate them at your own peril. They are hungry for success and they are not shy to admit it. The inventive Deghady, ambitious Talaat and high scoring Menatalla Awad form a trio that is expected to produce magic on court as they chase their top four dream and ultimately the title. 

Coach Alalfy is at the helm of this team for the very first time and that it itself is grounds to through all his dices in the ring in search of the utmost prize and so be it. He will be at it. 

FIBA