FIBA U18 Women African Championship Team Profile: Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO (Madagascar) - Returning to the competition after a six-year gap is motivation enough for the Malagasy girls as they prepare to tackle the most ambitious opponents from the continent.

In 2016, they made it to the FIBA U18 Women's African Championship in Cairo. Since then, they have been as discreet as ever. So when Madagascar were awarded hosting duties for the competition, it was clear that they would make every possible effort to get ready.

And for their second appearance, the Malagasy girls want to finish higher that in 2016, where they clinched a so-so fifth place.

For this, they will need to make abstraction of their opponents’ strengths and rather focus on their weaknesses.

In a good day, which everyone hopes will happen in August, Madagascar can pull a rabbit out of their hats and surprise everyone.

The issue, however, is the same as with the boys: the girls have had no competitive games. But coach Angelot Solofohery Razafiarivony oversees their preparation with two practices a day.

Team: Madagascar
FIBA Ranking: N/A
Last participation at FIBA U18 Women's African Championship: 2016 (5th place)
Best results at FIBA U18 Women's African Championship: Fifth place (2016)
How they qualified for the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's African Championship: Qualified as host country
World: Madagascar never qualified for the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup
History/Qualification: Madagascar qualified for the FIBA U18 African Championship as hosts.

Players to watch out for: Marion Fitia Rasolofoson is an overseas-based player called in to help the Malagasy National Team. Will she prove instrumental in Madagascar’s gold quest ?

Head coach : Angelot Solofohery Razafiarivony is an experienced coach who has spearheaded the men’s national team and who has overviewed the preparation of the both the U18 Men’s and Women’s team. He has led the Malagasy side to a gold medal at the Indian Ocean Island Games. But can he lead them to African gold ?

Outlook: Madagascar is the kind of team that can make it or break it under pressure. Except that no errors will  be forgiven at this level of competition. And will playing in front of their home crowd be enough to overcome their opponents ?

FIBA