Mali chasing first FIBA Women's AfroBasket title in a decade
BAMAKO (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) - In two month's time, Mali will try to become the first host country to win the FIBA Women's AfroBasket since Nigeria claimed the trophy in 2005.
Senegal, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Cameroon have hosted the last five editions of FIBA Africa's most important women's competition but they all have seen the visitors making the party on their home soil.
The biggest target is to win the title that all Malian basketball fans have been waiting for ten years - Tirera
And, Mali have experienced both sides of the story.
Senegal beat hosts Cameroon to win the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015 in Yaounde, Cameroon
In 2007 Mali crossed their south border to upset Senegal in their capital city of Dakar to clinch the only ticket for African teams for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Angola upset hosts Mozambique in the final of FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2013
Four years later, Angola came out of nowhere to deny Mali in the Semi-Final before beating Senegal in the final and qualify for the 2012 London Games.
Now, Mali power forward Meiya Tirera who sat out the 2007 African Championships but was selected to play in Beijing, feels it's about time to change the course of history.
"I am not disrespecting the other teams, but I can say that we have what it takes to achieve great results as we did back in 2007 in Dakar. But I am aware that it will tough," she told FIBA.com in reaction to last week's FIBA Women's AfroBasket draw.
From August 18-27, Bamako will be the place to follow the best 12 Africa national teams competing for two places in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain.
Afrobasket w 2017 Gpe A : Mali, Cam, wild card, Tunisie, Rci, Angola et grpe B : Sénégal, Nigeria, Égypte, Guinée, Q zone4, Mozambique. pic.twitter.com/HLzpetxtJr
— Basket Malien (@BasketMalien) May 27, 2017
Tirera's Mali will begin their quest to the continental title taking on Group A opponents Angola, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia and a team to be allocated a wildcard.
"The two groups are fairly balanced," the 31-year-old said. "It is now up to us to fight seriously to win our group as we did back in 2011."
"We have to show our fans that each of the 12 players who will make the final cut deserves to be on the team. The biggest target is to win the title that all Malian basketball fans have been waiting for ten years".
"And I really want to get there because it will be my first major title with the national team," she offered.
FIBA
