Angolans adamant they still can compete for #AfroBasketWomen's title

LUANDA (Angola) - Angola have endured a tough reality over the past four years, but they remain adamant that they still can compete against the best nations in Africa and reclaim a title that starts to become elusive.

Against the odds, eight years ago, Angola shocked hosts Mali in the semifinals before knocking down favourite Senegal in the 2011 FIBA Women's AfroBasket final to claim their first-ever continental title. 

And to reiterate their Africa champions' position, the Southern Africans kept the core of the team, resigned the coaching staff and added a few younger players for the next two years. And the strategy paid off with a second straight Africa title two years later in Maputo, Mozambique.

In the process, Angola got the chance of facing major world opposition at at the 2012 London Olympics, before making their FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup debut in Turkey in 2014. All that helped the Angolans to climb to the top ranking of Africa.

However, a fourth place finish at the 2015 edition of the African Championship in Yaounde, followed by a modest showing performance in Bamako two years ago, where they finished sixth, raised more unanswered questions about their future than anything else.

Yet, despited heading to Dakar as outsiders in the title race, they look to prove doubters wrong.  

FIBA World Raking:  No. 3 in Africa (20 in the World)

Goal: A place in the podium is Angola's top priority, and winning the title has been described by Angolan players, officials and coaching staff as their utmost target. 

Latest results: A 61-47 Quarter-Finals defeat against Mozambique has caused several damages to Angola's ambitious at 2017 FIBA Women's AfroBasket. And it became even clearer when they fell 61-56 to Cote d'Ivoire in the Sixth-Place game.

 Beating 2017 FIBA Women's AfroBasket hosts Mali in Group Phase was a huge statement by the Angolans

Two months ago, they qualified to the Final Round as winners of the Zone 6 Regional qualifiers in Zimbabwe. 

Quote - "I feel if we play our game and we all do our part, we will be an extremely tough team to beat. I always believe in taking one game at a time while gold being the final goal once we do the foot work, stay in the moment and go through the process by remaining present," by Italee Lucas.

Play  style: Over the past few years, the Angolans have instilled a attracting ball movement and aggressive defensive play style, always trying to find an open player for the final strike. Another aspect of Angola play style lies on the involvement of all-around star player Italee Lucas. 

How can they shock the continent? After some disappointing results over the past few years, the Angolans have certainly learned what it means to stay focused from start to finish. So, if they can reach the Quarter-Finals, then anything is possible.

Head coach: After a being assistant coach coach on a number of occasions, Apolinario Paquete has finally taken the reigns of his country. Historically, no African coach has won more FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women titles than Paquete. He has guided InterClube to four of their six continental trophies.

Key player (s): Undoubtedly one of the best players on  the continent of Africa, Lucas represents her team's heart and soul. A point guard with a exceptional vision and ball handling, the 30-year-old is extremely strong on one-and-one situations and has a terrific three-point rating.

 Nadir Manuel, one of the most talented on the continent of Africa, is back in action after a maternity leave. Her return boosts the Angolan's chances in the painted area. 

Rising Star(s): As Angola currently face a generation-transition, (Nacissela Mauricio, Catarina Camufal and Sonia Guadalupe have retired), forward 18-year-old Alexia Dizeko stands out as Angola's most prominent promising star.

Overview: Being No.3 on the continent of Africa (according to the FIBA World Rankings sponsored by NIKE) doesn't really satisfy Angola - a country used to be on the spotlight on the continent's basketball landscape.

And that's what makes Dakar 2019 a challenge for the ages for Apolinario Paquete and his team. If they clinch a spot on the podium, there is hope of resurgence, but if they repeat their results from 2017, then they will need to go back to board room and start from scratch. 

FIBA