BENGUELA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Top selectable players for Angola's women's national team are set to battle for the seven-team national championship crown in Benguela province until 31 May.

Primeiro D'Agosto and InterClube de Luanda are the frontrunners to clinch the national title, as both teams are the main attraction, particularly as they make up the core of the Angolan squad that won its second consecutive continental title last summer at AfroBasket Women 2013.

But there is a lot more at stake. Showcasing their skills in front of national team head coach Anibal Moreira and earning a place in Angola’s side are top priorities for most players eager to play on the world stage at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women.

The likes of Nacissela Mauricio, Nadir Manuel, Catarina Camufal, Sonia Guadalupe and Luisa Tomas are likely in Moreira's selection, but the need of revamping the team makes the tournament a career-test for newcomers.

Angola will be making their FIBA World Championship for Women debut later this summer in Turkey, playing in Istanbul's Group D, along with the USA, Serbia and China.

And Moreira, who is expected to announce Angola's preliminary squad in early June, has already defined reaching the second round as their main objective in the tournament.

This is the second time the national championship is decided outside the country's capital of Luanda, the home base of the top clubs, and the initiative, the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) says, aims at expanding the game throughout the gigantic country.

The event is a rare opportunity for Inter Clube's forward Manuel, D'Agosto's center Tomas, and Ana Goncalves to play in front of their fellow Benguela natives.

Among the attractions in the tournament is former Prairie View A&M's standout Latia Williams, who last summer led her school in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 1 Baylor University.

Williams signed for D'Agosto, replacing Mozambique international Deolinda Gimo who spent three seasons with the winners of the African Champions Cup for Women (ACCW).

Mali's Meiya Tirera will line out for Inter Clube along with 2013 ACCW MVP and former North Carolina University standout Italee Lucas, the 21st pick in the 2011 WNBA draft by the Tulsa Shock.

Beyond D'Agosto and Inter Clube, other teams include Clube Desportivo Maculusso, Sporting do Bie, Universidade Lusiada, Sporting de Benguela (host team) and a selection of the best players from Huila province.

FIBA