TEAM PROFILE - Can Mozambique raise the bar after shaky AfroCan qualifying performances?
Whether or not Mozambique can go all the way to finish on the podium, only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, Mozambicans are excited to be part of a continental competition again.
MAPUTO (Mozambique) - The upcoming FIBA AfroCan comes as a major opportunity for Mozambique to rejoin the African basketball family and try to re-establish their basketball program.
After missing out the last edition of the FIBA AfroBasket after ten straight appearances at FIBA Africa's flagship tournament, Mozambique are set to make their AfroCan debut next month in Angola (8-16 July).
Whether or not Mozambique can go all the way to finish on the podium, only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, Mozambicans are excited to be part of a continental competition again.
Want to learn more about this Southern African team? We have you covered.
Ismael Nurmamade
Team: Mozambique
FIBA Ranking Men: 99th
Last participation at the AfroCan: Have not participated in the AfroCan
Best result at the AfroCan: N/A
How they qualified for the 2023 AfroCan: The route to qualification was not easy for the usually strong Mozambique. In their Africa Zone 6 Qualifiers in February in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the Mozambicans finished with a 2-2 record in the round-robin phase after facing uphill battles against the hosts and Zambia.
Mozambique finished top of their group because of their superior points differential and set up a final against second-placed Zimbabwe, which they won.
Africa: Mozambique have made 14 appearances at the AfroBasket.
Star players: The Ferroviario da Beira shooting guard Ismael Nurmamade helped the club qualify for the Basketball Africa League in the last two seasons. Hopefully, his form will continue for the national team. Nurmamade averaged 10 points, three rebounds and 1.2 assists per game during AfroCan qualifiers. When he catches fire, the skilful guard can be unstoppable.
Pio Matos
Veteran player Pio Matos also rose to the occasion for Mozambique; his wealth of experience proved pivotal in his country's qualification for Angola. Matos delivered 10 points, four rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for the Southern Africans.
Rising Star: Hilario Malele is a young floor general who has tasted international competition. He was a part of Ferroviario da Beira's successful Road To BAL qualifiers campaign in South Africa last year.
New Addition: Tomas Fijamo played two games in the AfroCan Qualifiers. The opening game in the loss to Zimbabwe in which he scored six points. He also got minutes in the final game.
Coach: Veteran coach Milagre Macome is back in the international fold. He is familiar with the continental terrain and will look to help Mozambique punch above their weight.
Beating Cote d'Ivoire 66-53 at home during the 2019 World Cup African Qualifiers was one of Mozambique's biggest achievements
Outlook: Mozambique undoubtedly have the playing talent. But in continental competition, they have often struggled against much stronger opposition. Given their shaky qualifying journey, the expectation is that they will have to raise the bar.
Facing AfroCan reigning champions DR Congo and Cameroon in Group D could prove challenging for Mozambique, but that they are not a team to be taken lightly.
And if Helton Ubisse recovers from his health issues, Mozambique will have reasons to remain optimistic about their chances in the 12-nation 2023 FIBA AfroCan.
FIBA