Moment of truth for Cameroon

YAOUNDE (AfroBasket Women 2015) — The moment of truth has arrived for AfroBasket Women 2015 hosts Cameroon as they look at winning their first-ever continental title.

A couple of years ago, they were left devastated following a 56-53 defeat to Senegal in the Third-Place Game in Maputo, Mozambique.

Now, Senegal is back on their way yet again. 

Alain Zedong did play well in that tournament, but finishing fourth left them a sense of unfinished business.

Cameroon Team (CMR)

So, when FIBA Africa attributed Cameroon the hosting duties of this year’s African Championship they thought it was a major chance of getting to a position that they believe they belong in the African basketball scene.

They kept half of the team that competed in Maputo, added naturalised Miesha Blackshear, and brought in 2.02m center Beatrice Bofia - the tallest player in the competition.

As of the Semi-Finals Cameroon’s campaign has been flawless as they remain undefeated in seven games ahead of the Championship Game against Africa juggernaut Senegal.

For Ramses Lonlack, who averages a team-high 15.7 points per game, Cameroon will need to step up in order to beat a very good Senegal team.

Cameroon have never beaten the Western Africans.

“This is what we have been working for,” Lonlack told FIBA.com after leading Cameroon to the Final.

If they beat Senegal in what is called the “most important game in Cameroon women’s basketball” they secure the only ticket on offer for African teams for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“We have been waiting for this game for two years. It’s going to be physical but we are going to use our quickness,” Lonlack noted to FIBA.com.

If they lose they will have a second chance to qualify for the Olympics by playing at Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

FIBA