Can Madagascar be inspired by playing on home soil and start with a win?
Antsirabe will come to a stand still on Saturday when host nation take on Uganda in Group A at 4.30pm (East African Time) at the Gymnase Couvert D'antsirabe.
(ANTSIRABE) Madagascar - Antsirabe will come to a stand still on Saturday afternoon when host Madagascar take on Uganda in Group A at the Gymnase Couvert D'Antsirabe.
Playing at home and in front of their fans should provide the necessary inspiration for the young Malagasy team to achieve greater heights in the competition.
Also, given that this is their second participation in the age group tournament, they will want to improve on their fifth place finish in 2016 championship, which was held in Cairo.
History books show no records of a Madagascar v Uganda at U18 Women's African Championship.
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In terms of players with a high level of experience the Malagasy team do have Marion Fitia Rasolofoson in their ranks, who is their only overseas based player.
Whether or not Madagascar can start their 2022 FIBA U19 Women's African Championship with a win will depend on how they approach and defend Uganda.
The Gazelles, as the East African team are known, had an impressive FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifier, having finished 3-1 on home soil in June.
Now that they reached the tournament for the first time since 2018, surely, the goal is to improve from their eighth place achieved in Mozambique four years ago.
A Ugandan player to keep an eye on goes by the name of Sylvia Nantongo, who lit up Kampala during the qualifiers.
Joining Nantongo in the Gazelles rotation are Getrude Nyamutoro and Mariam Namukwaya, a pair that has played a major during the qualifiers.
Can Madagascar be inspired by their home crowd and seal their first win in the tournament?
Time will tell.
Meanwhile, Saturday's final game will see former champions Angola take on Tanzania in Group B at 7pm (East African Time).
Angola have had a lean spell since winning the tournament in 1999. Apart from a third place finish in 2018 and finals appearance 2008 there has not been to write home about for the Angolan team.
Will this year be different for the Southern African team? They are a country with a strong reputation in the sport, so they have the potential to comeback home with the trophy.
FIBA