Who are the players making waves in the 2022 Africa Champions Cup Women?
By the end of the 2022 edition of this annual event, one player will be named the Most Valuable Player, but until then, here is a group of talented players making noise in Maputo.
MAPUTO (Mozambique) - With the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women just around the corner, we take a close look at the players that stood out throughout the Group Phase.
By the end of the 2022 edition of this annual event, one player will be named the Most Valuable Player, but until then, here is a group of talented players making noise in the Mozambican capital city of Maputo where nine teams (Overdose Up Station pulled out) are fighting for the crown of Africa's clubs top competition.
IFUNAYA OKORO (Kenya Ports Authority)
She has been the star of the Kenyan club and the tournament. This 23-year-old is a versatile guard who can play at the one and two positions.
Apart from being an attacking threat, she is also good at the defensive end and has nine steals in the competition so far.
If Kenya Ports Authority progress to the Semi-Finals, part of the reason will be the Nigerian player's scoring ability and the effort she puts in defence.
MARLENE NGOBELEZA (CNSS)
The Democratic Republic of Congo player has been a stand-out performer for her club. Ngobeleza likes to get to the rim or score from mid-range, but she also has a decent three-point shooting ability.
CNSS will rely on her ability to defend. She also has 14 steals to her name during the group stages.
ITALEE LUCAS (Inter Clube)
The Angolan international brings her scoring and savvy veteran leadership to the court on a nightly basis.
Lucas likes to get to the rim and score and can land clutch three-pointers when needed. Her 28 points against CNSS in Inter Clube's last group game shows that she can still give some of the younger players a run for their money.
HAGAR AMER (Alexandria Sporting Club)
Amer got off to a slow start in the opening game against ASC Ville de Dakar, but in the last two games, she dropped 20 points in a victory over APR, and 23 points in a loss to Ferroviario de Maputo.
The Egyptian international player and team captain has confidently spoken about Sporting's desire to win the tournament.
If she can maintain her level of performance, then the Egyptians will remain on track for their title ambition.
CRISTINA MATIQUITE (Inter Clube)
Matiquite can play with her back to the basket or face her defender. She has been the best big in the tournament so far and quietly goes about her work on attack and defence.
Any opposing center will have their work cut out for them when they try to guard or score on her.
FIBA