YAOUNDE (Cameroon) – When Marie Ange Mfoula first joined Cameroon’s women’s basketball team prior to the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2015 on home court, all she wanted was play at her best level and get the team as many wins as possible.

But four years after the 1.88m (6ft2in) forward made her debut for Cameroon, she is set to take up a completely new role within the basketball Lionesses - captain the team during the Zone 4 qualifiers for the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2019 on home court in Yaoundé from the 4-5 May.

Mfoula who turns 27 on May 31 has been relishing the idea of suiting up for Cameroon and captaining the team during the qualifiers.

"I THINK WE CAN DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB AS COMPARED TO TWO YEARS AGO AND MAKE CAMEROONIANS PROUD"- Mfoula

 "It’s always exceptional playing for Cameroon. Every time I wear the national colours, it’s a new experience and it feels like the first time. It’s something I love doing. I just want to come and play my best and get many wins," the Yaounde native told FIBA.basketball.

"My season ended pretty early and I had some time so when the coach rang me up, it was a no brainer. I decided to fly in as soon as possible and link up with the rest of the team.”

“I was pleased when I was told I will captain the team. It’s not something I’m used to and this is a very young side. Most of us haven’t played together for long but I can easily understand the situation. When I joined the team in 2015, I was new but the other girls helped me adapt easily. I want to tap from my experience and help the others.”Mfoula explained.

"Fortunately for me, our former captain Priscilla Mbiandja is now part of the technical staff so if I need anything, I’ll always ask her,”

Mfoula alongside Rose Abenkou and Amandine Ebogo are the only three players from the 2017 expedition in Mali to be with the team.

Two years ago in Bamako, she churned in 7.4 points and 2.5 rebounds as the ''basketball Lionesses'' finished eighth in the continental showpiece.

 Currently on the books of German outfit TSV 1880 Wasserman, the forward is poised on firing Cameroon to another African Bonanza.

 And she’s keen on competing in her third straight FIBA Women’s AfroBasket after appearances in 2015 and 2017 while hoping the team can return to prominence.

“The first target for us is to qualify for the Final Round. Two years ago, we had a very bad competition and I think we could’ve done better. We have to do our best to get wins against a tough DR Congo side.”

"For us, the main ambition will be to do better and hopefully win the tournament. When all the other experienced players join the team, I think we can do a pretty good job as compared to two years ago and make Cameroonians proud, ”she concluded.

FIBA