MOZ – Ngulela defines personal objectives

MAPUTO (Afrobasket for Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Deolinda Ngulela was recently named the MVP of the Mozambique national championship, as she helped her club Liga Desportiva de Maputo to win their second consecutive title.

As she turns 32 on 18 April, Ngulela has outlined her immediate objectives.

"To help Mozambique make history by qualifying to the 2014 FIBA World Championship" she told FIBA.com.

Mozambique are the hosts of this year's Afrobasket, and tipped to make it to the final, especially after her local club won the African Clubs Cup last October in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. 

The tournament runs from 20 to 29 September in capital city of Maputo.

The teams that finish in the top two places will represent Africa at the 2014 FIBA World Championship to be held in Turkey.

But, with five months before the tournament, she could not be more positive.

"We are already talking about training camps for the national team, and putting pieces together, which is how things should be dealt with.

"Most selectable players are looking forward to the tournament, and this is a good sign, not only for the team, but for some social aspects in the country in general," she explained.

Mozambique finished fifth at the 2011 Afrobasket held in Mali, but accepted to represent Africa at the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women (OQTW) in Ankara as both Senegal (3rd) and Nigeria (5th) declined.

For Ngulela - who is a regular with her national team - it is all about to make Mozambicans proud before she retires in "two years time".

"We know it won’t be easy to square off against Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and Angola, but we can’t disappoint our home fans."

Asked about a prospect of competing at the 2015 Afrobasket, a qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympics, Ngulela say, "it will depend how fit I’ll feel next year."

Ngulela is one of the top African point guards. She led the 2011 Afrobasket with 4.4 assists per game.

Last year, at the OQTW she improved to 6 assists per game.

"It will be fun playing at home. Personally I am very motivated to do it," Ngulelas said.

FIBA