What are they saying about the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Draw?

 

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The clock is ticking fast for the next edition of the biennial FIBA Women's AfroBasket scheduled for next month in Kigali.

The 12-nation competition will run from July 28 to August 6 at BK Arena in the Rwandan capital. 

The winners of each group will advance directly to the Quarter-Finals, and the teams that finish second and third in their respective groups will cross with teams from opposing groups for the remaining four places for the Quarter-Finals.

And as soon as the Draw for the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket was completed last week in Maputo, team officials, scouts, observers, fans shared their thoughts on the upcoming tournament.

But what are the players saying about the Draw? 

FIBA.basketball reached out to seven players and asked them to share their thoughts about the upcoming tournament.

AYA TRAORE (SENEGAL) 

After sitting out the last two editions of the tournament, the two-time MVP of the Women's AfroBasket (2009 and 2015) is set to return to try and help Senegal win their first African Championship since 2015.

Aya Traore in seen here during here last Women's AfroBasket appearance in 2017

DRAW - "We got two strong  opponents right there. Mali has always been a strong team and have done very well in past editions. Uganda also played some great basketball in the qualifiers to get here. We are trying to improve. One of the main goals is to do better than we did last time [Senegal finished fourth]. It's definitely not an easy task but we want to take a step forward."

TEAM CAMP - "It's going fine. We have some new faces and everybody's trying to get to know each other and getting a feel of what the coaching staff wants to do. Everyone is motivated, so that's a plus.

GOALS  - "Our goal is to try to do better than we did in the past edition. As one of the vets in the group my focus is to try to help the team and young girls as much as I can on and off the court."

RETURN TO THE TEAM - "It's an honor again and I am glad to be here." 

SORAYA DEGHEIDY (EGYPT) 

They nicknamed Cleopatra for her jaw-dropping ability to create scoring opportunities. Degheidy has become one of the most recognisable faces of Egyptian basketball over the past decade.

Soraya Degheidy

DRAW - "Nigeria are a very strong team. They are the African champions and DR Congo are very good. We played against both teams before. We beat DR Congo but we lost against Nigeria. Now we know the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and that's what we are working on now to qualify to the next round."

"We know we must win to qualify. So we are focusing now on our defense; We have multiple players and many young players and focusing on defense is what will differentiate us from any other team."

TEAM CAMP - "After finishing the Egyptian League, we had a camp immediately to get prepared to the AfroBasket. We are practicing twice a day." 

GOALS - "As a team and individual we want to reach the Final-Four. I want to do something different for my country. I  want to write history to my country to be always remembered as the first Egyptian generation to reach Final-Four. Personally, I want to win the AfroBasket and qualify to the World Cup and the Olympics.

SIKA KONE (MALI)

Kone is often described as one of the brightest talents of her generation. Drafted by the Chicago Sky in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Kone has recently joined CB Perfurmarias Avenida in Spain's Liga Feminina. 

At the 2021 FIBA U19 Women's World Cup Kone raised eyebrows as she recorded double-doubles in every game

DRAW - "They all are great teams and we respect them. We are just going there, give  everything and try to win every game. We just stay focused on and get ready to give our best. We'll be preparing game by game. It's a competition and before it starts all teams are equal. 

GOALS  - "Team goals are performance objectives that require the contributions of everyone on the team and help us to be the champions. "

AVELINA PESO (ANGOLA)

Peso debuted for Angola's senior team at 2019 Women's AfroBasket, and she has become a major addition to the former African champions. 

Avelina Peso averaged 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds at the 2021 Women's AfroBasket

DRAW - "We are aware that it’s going to be be tough to play the home team. There are no easy teams in this type of competitions. Everyone can win the tournament. As of now, I know nothing about the Rwandan team. Our focus right now is to get our homework done and get ready to be at our best level in order to dignify our country."

GOAL  - "Our goal is to improve our tactics and execute our game-plan according to our coaching staff's strategies. What can be expected from Angola is hard work and try to reach our pre-established goals. I am sure it won't be easy but willingness, motivation, pride, determination, perseverance, discipline will be fundamental for us. Personally, I am ready and available to help my country and I believe that my teammates share the same mindset. We are going to do everything to honour the colours of our country." 

KETIA MBELU (DR CONGO) 

The 22-year-old point guard played a major role in helping DR Congo beat Gabon during the two-game Women's AfroBasket qualifiers series. She averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game.  

Mbelu featured for DR Congo at the 2018 FIBA U18 Women's African Championship. If she stays healthy she could make her Women's AfroBasket debut next month.

Ketia Mbelu is seen during the 2022 FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup in Maputo

DRAW - "This is the first time I'm going to the AfroBasket, and I do not know much about our opponents. But if I take my club as example, who has played in Egypt [2021 FIBA Women's Africa Champions Cup], I can say I know their style of play and how to guard them. But as for Nigeria, I don't have as much about them."

GOALS - "Talking about luck would mean underestimating DR Congo. We are getting ourselves ready. And we are getting ready to go out there and give our best shot. It is a fact that I have never been to the AfroBasket. I will do my best to be at my topmost form to help the team reach the Semi-Finals or even the Final."

TEAM CAMP - "We are currently practicing with eight players, but we are hoping that our Government will help us have some foreign-based professional players, who are in France or Belgium."

TAMARA SEDA (MOZAMBIQUE) 

Although Leia Dongue remains Mozambique's key factor, Seda has been huge for Mozambique. Her presence in the painted area represents a plus for her national team.

Tamara Seda

DRAW - "The competitiveness level in African basketball has grown tremendously, and Uganda, who had a historic qualification, is a good example of that. The home team is drawn in Group A - and we all know the advantages of playing at home. Angola will surely try to perform better than in recent times. We will have an interesting match-up against Cameroon, and I am looking forward to find out who the wildcard team will be."

GOAL  - "Our goal has always been to try to secure a place on the podium, and this time won’t be any different. My role is to help my country the best way possible to reach our goal."

"I can’t wait to visit Kigali, which is now considered the sports capital of Africa. See you soon, Rwanda! 

ADAORA ELONU (NIGERIA)

A three-time African champions Elonu was voted the MVP of the 2021 Women's AfroBasket. The D'Tigress captain is one of the most experienced players of the reigning champions. 

Adaora Elonu

DRAW - "Two different styles and two different challenges. We did not get the chance to compete against them last edition, so anything can go. They both had good outing in the qualifiers leading up to the AfroBasket selections, so they will be well versed amongst themselves and the expectations they have for the tournament. "

 GOALS  - "Nigeria's chances will depend on team Nigeria being ready to compete and battle. The group stage is the first step in advancing to the next round and competing in the finals. So as always, preparation, toughness and some grace is needed. Represent Nigeria and ourselves well. We are a determined country and those are aspects we want to show in our game and efforts. AfroBasket seeks out competitors and team Nigerias' goal is to compete and continue to leave a mark/legacy. "

TEAM CAMP - "Still in the works, but the D'tigress that are called will be ready to represent."

FIBA Africa will attribute one wildcard while the last ticket will be determined through a qualifier involving one team from Zone 2 and teams from Zone 3.  

The wildcard team will be added to Group B while the representative from Zones 2 (Guinea) and 3 will play in Group A alongside hosts Rwanda and Angola.

FIBA