YAOUNDE (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) - FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015 finalists Cameroon are keen to replicate their performance on home soil when they compete in the 2017 edition in Mali from September 15-24.

Reaching the title game in Bamako will also ensure a place at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain.

However, Cameroon captain Priscilla Mbiandja is focusing on the continental showpiece first.

"I believe that every team competing at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket is looking to win the competition," she told FIBA.com. "Our goal going into that competition is to have a better performance than the previous edition and why not winning it?"

Mbiandja is aware of the challenge posed by the continental powerhouses including 12-time African champions Senegal along with Angola and hosts Mali.

"Senegal, Angola and Mali are three countries with good teams and they have been on the front row for basketball in Africa that is for sure," Mbiandja said.

The native of Yaounde who plies her trade with ASC Tours in the French-Guyana league has an explanation to the performance of these teams.

I think we still have a long way to go but I do believe that we have the potential to be in the front row as well.- Mbiandja

"In my opinion this is due to the fact that their under age teams are always taking part in some international competitions like FIBA U18 African Women's Championship and Cameroon is working on doing the same thing for our girls as well," said the 1.73m point guard.

She admitted that Cameroon has come a long way and is on the right path to greatness but one day at a time.

"I think two FIBA Women's AfroBasket editions ago, no one really talked about Cameroon like they do now but the federation was able to help the team by allowing it to take part in as many competitions as possible.

"I think we still have a long way to go but I do believe that we have the potential to be in the front row as well. The game of basketball is an amazing sport and the team that has the better preparation is usually the one that wins the game,'' the 28-year-old said.

Priscilla Mbiandja played a key role at FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015 on home soil

Mbiandja is not shying away from dreaming of playing at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

"Every player should be shooting for the sky looking to perform in the major competitions as possible," she reasoned. "God blessed me and allowed me to have a pretty good career thus far and last time we came short for the Olympic Games and World Cup would be amazing but let us take care of first things like FIBA Women's AfroBasket."

Cameroon will have to dig deep to replicate their performance in front of home fans but this time away from home in foreign territory.

FIBA