Group C: Three former African champions set for unmissable battles

DAKAR (Senegal) - Group C is arguably the so-called "Group of Death" at the upcoming FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 set to start on Saturday, August 10 in Dakar, Senegal.

But what makes Group C's six games unmissable battles to look forward to?

Comprised of three former African champions DR Congo (won three continental titles in 1983, 1986 and 1994), Mali (winners of the 2007 edition of the African Championship) and Angola - the last country to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2013 - this group is expected to go to the wire. 

The three teams brought some of Africa's top performers to Dakar including Angola's duo of Italee Lucas and Nadir Manuel, and head coach Apolinario Paquete who has established record for most wins (four) at FIBA Women's African Cup.

Mali will count on with the services of five-time Women's AfroBasket participant Meiya Tirera, Touty Gandega, Nassira Traore, Mariam Coulibaly, and more importantly, they kept head coach Sylvain Lautie from the 2017 African Championship

Mali v Angola is clearly the highly-anticipated game of Day 1, and both teams will look to live up to expectations. 

The last time these two teams met two years ago in the Malian capital of Bamako, Angola contributed to the hosts' disappointing campaign as their 68-59 Group A  dented Mali's confidence for the remaining of the competition even though they finished third.

However, Mali seem to have move on, and love to be back in Dakar where they won their only FIBA Women's AfroBasket title nine years ago. It's a morale booster for the No. 5 team in Africa's FIBA Rankings. 

Although DR Congo rank lower (10th in Africa) than any of their Group C opponents, the Congolese can become the 'black horse' in the group, especially if top rebounder Pauline Akonga brings her A game to the table. 

Favourite team to  win Group C? Perhaps Mali considering how their preparation - four wins is as many warm-up games against Tunisia and Cote d'Ivoire - went. They outplayed both teams. 

FIBA