YAOUNDE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Algeria avoided finishing last at AfroBasket Women 2015 in Yaounde, Cameroon after beating South Africa 87-49 in Friday's 11th-12th place game.

However, there is a lot of work to be done to take Algeria women's basketball to the next level, according to Nesrine Boussaid and Lylia Tlemsani, who serve as an accurate representation of the team's current state.

Almost half of the players featuring for the North African side in the 12-team tournament were born in France, although they keep close ties to the country of their parents.

Some of their players, including Boussaid, Lina Mahsas, Soumeya Regani and Sarah Nemmouchi play in France's lower divisions but bringing their skills to the Algerian national side is the beginning of what they call the 'revival of women's basketball in the country'.

Nesrine Boussaid (ALG)

Boussaid was born in France and made her debut with Azzedine Labouize's team in Yaounde, where she averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

After losing their first six games in the tournament, Boussaid and the rest of the crew felt it was about time to move on.

As much as young girls wish to play basketball in Algeria, there are not enough clubs. - Boussaid

"Losing the first few games left us under pressure," the 25-year-old told FIBA.com, "but it feels great to come up with a win though."

However, it is the upcoming challenges that matter most for Boussaid and Tlemsani.

"Women's basketball still faces some difficulties because there is not enough infrastructures."

Lylia Tlemsani (ALG)

Tlemsani, 18, who helped Algeria finish fourth at 2014 U18 FIBA Africa Women, shares Boussaid's view.

"Women's basketball in Algeria is yet to get the attention that we need to take it to the next level," said the 1.85m forward.

And part of the attention that Tlemsani refers to has to do with the lack of media exposure of women’s game in the country.

Although most countries sent at least one media representative to cover their national teams, there was no record of Algeria media representatives in Yaounde.

"We can't compare women's to men's basketball in our country," Tlemsani, who averaged 2.5 points per game, explained.

But her passion for the game of basketball gives her energy to keep on going.

"I am happy that they start to give us a chance to compete at youth international competitions, and that's a good start for us," she pointed out.

Maybe we can start showing some results in the near future. - Tlemsani

Although senior players such as Nesrine Taibi and Ikbal Chenaf still do play a role in the team, Tlemsani is one of the rising stars who feels her time will come sooner rather than later.

"Playing at AfroBasket Women 2015 has been a great experience for me as a young player aspiring to develop my game," she said.

"I had the opportunity of playing against experienced players, some of them with WNBA experience.

"I may be young, but when I step on floor I try to play at the same level as other players. I don't think about my age, I just play the best way I can."

Asked about the future of the Algerian team, she said: "In the next two to three years we could finish third or second. We could win the African Championship, why not? We just need to keep on working?"

FIBA