2023 Women's AfroBasket - PREVIEW (Groups A and B)

 

KIGALI (Rwanda) - The 28th edition of the FIBA Women's FIBA that tips off July 28 to August 5 at the iconic BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda will experience a battle like no other.

The Group Phase will run between July 28-30.

The winner of each group advance directly to the Quarter-Finals while the teams that finish second and third will do battle in the Qualification Round to the Quarter-Finals (August 1).

Here is a close look at the six games from Groups A and B

Going by their previous showing in this biennial continental spectacle, on paper the prospects of three teams Angola, Mozambique and Cameroon making progress to the next phase looks good.

Angola have managed to bag two titles (2011 and 2013); Mozambique have been placed runners-up thrice (1983, 1986 and 2013) while Cameroon's best position remains second place when they hosted the tournament in Yaounde in 2015.

Host Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea are the three outsiders from the two groups who have been to this competition before but whose presence are yet to be felt.

GROUP A:
Angola, Cote'd'Ivoire, Rwanda

Angola are experiencing a poor spell. A team that once dominated the continental scene with Mauricio Nascissela at the peak of her game are now fighting just to keep afloat.

The Angolans can only hope that the experience on Italee Lucas and the tactical approach of coach Oriel Villa - the first foreign coach to handle the slumping giants - will steady the ship from turbulent waters.

Cote d'Ivoire beat Angola 62-57 in the Seventh-Place Game of the 2021 Women's AfroBasket

The fact that there is still no podium finish for Cote d'Ivoire in their 14 continental appearances is worrying. They are headed to Kigali after finishing fourth on two occasions and they have high hopes they can better their records.

The Ivoirians are banking on a combination of the old and young players and a new sheriff in town in the name of Zoran Visic. But what tricks does he have up his sleeve?

The pressure to perform in front of the home fans will tell on host Rwanda. Playing in their third AfroBasket, what balancing act will they perform to emerge out of the group and improve on their previous outings?

There is little doubt that the home crowd will play a huge role if the team that is relying on the shoulders of key players Odile Tetero and Assouma Uwizeye , is to advance and make the country proud. 

GROUP B:
Cameroon, Guinea, Mozambique

The best the Mozambicans have managed in the competition over the years are three runners-up spots. They believe the team has the tools but can they reach the promised land and cement their position among the top nations?

There is little doubt that Mozambique remains one of the giants of the game but while they have shown their pedigree and produced stars like Leia Dongue, Tamara Seda and Ingvilde Mucauro as they have also fallen short in the final hurdle.

Mozambique beat Guinea 88-47 in the 2017 edition of the Women's AfroBasket in Bamako

Cameroon are high on confidence after securing a medal in 2015 as host after falling 54-49 to Senegal. They have continued to push the button and in Marguerite Effa, they believe their time is now.

They also have another key component - Dulcy Fankam (if available) who brings so much on the able from her experience in the WNBA.

Of the 12 teams in this championship, Guinea is he lowest-ranked of the lot but that does not mean  they will play meek. If not watched keenly, this team is capable of causing an upset by sinking one or two teams.

French-based trio of  Kaba Massey, Aicha Mara and Fanta Soumah as well as Fatoumata Jallow from Sweden can just help change that narrative for the inaugural silver medal winners.

FIXTURES OF GROUPS A and B:

July 28: Host Rwanda open Group A campaign with a game against Cote d'Ivoire as Cameroon battles Mozambique in Group B

July 29: Mozambique face Guinea in Group B as Angola tackle Cote d'Ivoire in Group A

July 30: Guinea confront Cameroon in Group B while Angola take on Rwanda. 

FIBA