LOS ANGELES (USA) - It has been six years since Angola claimed the FIBA Women's AfroBasket title after winning it back-to-back in 2011 and 2013.

Poster girl Italee Lucas believes she and her teammates stand a chance to win the 2019 edition which will take place from August 9-18 in Dakar, Senegal. 

Angola come into this tournament as one of the title favourites, however, they will find stiff opposition from hosts Senegal, who are also 12-time record African champions and will be looking to make amends after they fell to Nigeria in a surprise loss two years ago in the final. 

Nigeria themselves reigning champions are seeking to create a new dawn and dominate women's basketball on the continent and have vowed to strengthen and retain their title. 

"THE MAIN OBJECTIVE I AM SURE LIKE MANY TEAMS WILL BE TO WIN BUT BEYOND THAT OUR OBJECTIVE WILL BE TO REPRESENT THE COUNTRY WITH PRIDE AND TO GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION HOPE AND SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO."- Lucas

 With this in mind, Angola have their work cut out and the return of veteran centre Nadir Manuel, Lucas is excited about her addition and what that means for their title campaign. 

Lucas said, "I believe our chemistry has changed and is really going to show on the court. We have the best back post in Africa in Nadir Manuel and so our inside game is going to look a lot different. We are just going to play our game and use all our advantages and have fun."

"I feel if we play our game and we all do our part, we will be an extremely tough team to beat. I always believe in taking one game at a time while gold being the final goal once we do the foot work, stay in the moment and go through the process by remaining present."

"The main objective I am sure like many teams will be to win but beyond that what our objective will be is to represent the country with pride and to give the next generation hope and something to look forward to."

Lucas, who inspired InterClube to the Angolan championship, denying their biggest local rivals Primeiro de Agosto the title is confident that the players from both teams will bury any rivalry and come together to defend their flag. 

"The gap closes naturally. We know it is not about rivals in this moment. We have a much bigger task ahead of us. Those letters on the front of our chest fuse us together instantly and we have a job to do, a responsibility to hold ourselves accountable for and we take great pride and honour in doing so."

"This opportunity has been truly a blessing in more ways than I can possibly describe with words and I will forever be thankful and humbled. It has allowed me to live and breath consistently in one of my true purposes in life and grow as a person on and off the country."

The FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup 2013 Most Valuable Player, who made the Tournament Five at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 in Mali, will be looking to make a mark once again and help Angola improve on their quarterfinal finish two years ago. 

"What I am looking forward to the most when all of our hard work, dedication and sacrifices that no one sees but us coming together on court and everything starts to click," she added. 

"It is a very gratifying moment and feeling when everything comes together it is like poetry in motion. Also seeing the smiles on kids faces and when their eyes light up that is something that really sticks with me and moves me."

For Angola, a third continental trophy is top of their priority list and they will be doing anything and everything in their means to achieve this feat. 

FIBA