DAKAR (Senegal) - Almost two months into their preparations for the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019, Senegal head coach Cheikh Sarr has decided his final twelve players.

The twelve-nation tournament will take place in the Senegalese capital of Dakar from August 10-18.

In attempt to regain the African crown they lost to  Nigeria two years ago in Mali, Sarr brought five players from  that tournament, and kept the core of the team that featured at last year's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain, where they had an impressive campaign forcing eventual champions USA, hosts Spain to step up their games.

Lena Niang, who last played for Temple University, is set to make her debut with Senegal, and will be joined by a number of veterans including 2017 MVP Astou Traore.

Although the Senegalese emerge as one of the frontrunners, they will face stiff competition from Mali and Nigeria.

Having played a number of warm-up games (as we write they are 3-0 in a four-nation tournament against Angola, Cote d'Ivoire and Egypt), Senegal could not be any more confident. 

This year's FIBA Women's AfroBasket will be a chance for Senegal to try to redeem from the 2007 African Championship disappointment when they lost to Mali in front of their home fans, and as a result missed out on of the opportunity qualify directly for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

So far, things look good for the hosts, and the tournament couldn't have been hosted a better stage: The newly-built Dakar Arena.

FIBA