Mali announce final roster for AfroBasket Women 2015
BRAZZAVILLE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Back in July, Djeneba N'Diaye was leading the way for Mali at 2015 U19 FIBA Women's World Championship. Fast-forward two months and she is set to make her debut with
BRAZZAVILLE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Back in July, Djeneba N'Diaye was leading the way for Mali at 2015 U19 FIBA Women's World Championship. Fast-forward two months and she is set to make her debut with the senior team at AfroBasket Women 2015.
The 18-year-old, who plays for Mali outfit Djoliba Athletic Club, is one of the 12 players in Mali's final roster for Africa's top women's basketball tournament that will take place in Yaounde, Cameroon from 24 September-3 October.
Head coach Amara Traore, who took over from Herve Coudray in July, called up a number of veterans, but he made sure to give N'Diaye a chance of shining on Africa's biggest stage.
In Vidnoje, Russia, N'Diaye sparked Mali with a team-high 12.7 points per game as they finished 12th - their best result ever in the 16-team U19 women's tournament.
Now that she has appeared in three major junior tournaments - having played at the 2012 and 2014 editions of the U17 Women's Worlds - it's time to see how she responds to an opportunity of helping her country at AfroBasket Women.
After all, N'Diaye has always had high expectations of representing her country at senior level.
In a recent interview with FIBA.com, N'Diaye seemed to have predicted her opportunity of joining the senior team. She also hinted at the prospect of representing her country on the world stage.
Mali, who are set to play Senegal in Thursday's Semi-Final of 2015 All-African Games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, are among the frontrunners at AfroBasket Women 2015.
They may be heading to Yaounde without three of their most talented players - Djenebou Sissoko, Astan Dabo and Djene Diawara - but they remain a championship contender.
Mali will play in Group A and go up against hosts Cameroon - a team they beat 65-54 in the All-African Games Preliminary round in Brazzaville last week - Mozambique, South Africa, Gabon and Uganda.
Mali final roster for AfroBasket Women 2015: Fatoumata Bagayoko, Kankou Coulibaly, Naignouma Coulibaly, Ouleymatou Coulibaly, Ramata Diakite, Diana Gandega, Aissata Maiga, Djeneba N'Diaye, Meiya Tirera, Fatim Traore, Nassira Traore and Djenebou Sacko.
FIBA