MAPUTO (Mozambique) - Ferroviario de Maputo is one of the successful teams in the FIBA Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL), with two tournament titles to their name.
Making a return after last appearing in the 2022 edition of the tournament, there is no doubt the club from the Mozambican capital have the pedigree and talent to try and secure a third continental title.
When the tournament starts in Dakar, Senegal, on Friday (6-15 December), the As Locomotivas will be a team to watch out for.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 AWBL?
Ferroviario, winners of the Mozambique domestic championship, qualified for the Zone Six tournament. Unfortunately, the regional tournament did not take place, and the Southern African club was given an automatic qualification.
KEY PLAYERS AT THE AWBL
Ingvild Mucauro has returned to Ferroviario after joining their rivals Costa do Sol, a club she led to the AWBL 2022 final.
Mucauro, 32, was part of the Angolan club Interclubbe AWBL campaign last year.
The last time Ferroviario won the continental tournament in 2019, Mucauro was part of the team, and she was crowned the MVP. The hope is she will contribute to bringing back the glory days.
American Destiny Pitts is another former winner of the AWBL with Alexandria Sporting Club last year. Pitts played for Centauros de Chihuahua in the Women's Basketball League America, where her team finished fourth.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
Mucauro has been a long-time servant of the Mozambique national team and has played in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. She has also played in four AfroBasket tournaments.
Anabela Cossa has a bucket-load of experience with Mozambique, having played in nine AfroBaskets and two junior AfroBasket competitions.
YEAR OF CREATION
Ferroviario was founded in 1924 and has been one of the dominant forces domestically.
HEAD COACH
Veteran coach Nasir Sale led Ferroviario at the 2022 FIBA Africa Champions Women tournament on home soil. The former national team coach has returned at the helm of the Ferroviario for this season's competition.
WHERE THEY PLAY THEIR HOME GAMES
Ferroviario play their games at the 3500 seater Pavilhao do Maxaquene.
FIBA