South Africa learning from AfroBasket Women
YAOUNDE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - By the time South Africa national team return home from this year's AfroBasket Women, basketball in their country might never be the same again.
They have conceded four consecutive defeats in as many games, but for Sophy Ngobeni, it is all about learning from the experience.
“We don’t have a league, and we are not really active basketball wise," the 24-year-old center told FIBA.com.
We have a young team, and this is a learning process for us - Ngobeni
South Africa are making their second AfroBasket Women appearance since 2009, and although they are far from being a title contender, playing against higher ranked teams such as Mali, Mozambique and Cameroon in Group A proves a major victory for Khimati Toboti's team.
Mozambique easy past South Africa in Day 3 at #AfroBasketWomen2015! #MOZRSA boxscore: http://t.co/wyZd1CioFB pic.twitter.com/amZ4ReCzp8
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 26, 2015
"We only have University games," the 1.89m center said.
"If you are not in the university you have to play with your club where you practice twice a week, it is not enough at all."
As for South Africa remaining games in the competition, the former South Plain College player feels they need to step up.
“We just have to play through whatever the outcomes. We have to deal with the consequences, play hard as we are not expecting anything.
“We have to be more physical, that’s the problem we have here in the tournament."
But, she remains positive for the future though.
“I am Still young, and I am still going to be here .
“Going forward with women’s basketball, if we have a league for us to keep on playing, we would get better from there."
South Africa will closed their Group Phase campaign facing hosts Cameroon on Tuesday.
FIBA