Chongo ready to play a bigger role in Mozambique's AfroBasket aspirations

 

MAPUTO (Mozambique) - Mozambique's Uwami Chongo described himself as a bundle of nerves when he first got his national team call-up.

He had never played for Mozambique's junior national teams, but Milagre Macome felt his talent warranted a spot in the team ahead of last year's AfroCan tournament in Angola.

Chongo explained his feeling at being thrust onto a big stage without prior international experience.

"I feel honoured to be called up for a second time (referring to upcoming AfroBasket qualifiers)," said the 19-year-old. "The first time, I was pretty nervous. Especially when I got off the plane in Angola, I said to myself, 'This is serious!"

The former Costa da Sol player played three games for Mozambique at the AfroCan. Since moving to Portugal to further his studies and basketball dream, Chongo has grown in confidence.

Chongo, who recently got another call-up to the national team, feels the exposure and knowledge he has gained at the Instituto Politecnico de Castelo Branco has elevated his game.

"I'm not comfortable with just being there (with the national team). I want to play more. I am playing at an international level now. Playing against other national teams will not be difficult," said Chongo. "The first time I got the call to the AfroCan, I was still playing in Mozambique. And I was not used to playing against other national teams.

"But here (in Portugal), I play with and against players from other countries. Players from Cape Verde, America, so I am used to it now."

He also shared some reflections on his AfroCan experience. "The basketball was different to what I was used to in Mozambique," said Chongo. "In Mozambique, it's tough. There is a lot of (physical) contact, but at the AfroCan, it's a lot more. The refs don't just call any type of foul. They call on hard fouls, and it was to get used to that.

"People tell you about the toughness, but you can never be ready for it."

As Chongo and Mozambique prepare for the FIBA Zone 6 AfroBasket pre-qualifying tournament in the capital Maputo from 17 February - 25 February, they will be eyeing to return to a competition they last competed in 2017.

The forward, who was speaking from Portugal (at the time), is confident of his country's chances ahead of the pre-qualifiers.

"I am not with the team, but I have been preparing myself. I know the team is also getting ready because we have been communicating. I feel we have a chance of qualifying for the first round," said Chongo.

He was also tentative about the Southern African nation's chances of qualifying for the AfroBasket.

"We can try. We are definitely going to try. We will give our best. Hopefully, we can make it to the AfroBasket. It would be an honour to represent my country and to say I contributed to its success," said Chongo, who was part of the 2022 Basketball Without Borders Camp.

He is one of the new players trying to make their mark in the national set-up, and coach Macome feels he is a player for the future.

"He (Chongo) is a player with potential. He should believe (in himself) and continue to work hard. He and other young players in the team are good prospects. They are the future of Mozambique," said Macome.

FIBA