ASPAC's Kondoh, Keita tip Beninese basketball to get better after AWBL experience 

 

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - Association Sportive du Port Autonome de Cotonou (ASPAC) basketball club, made their debut in continental competition this week,  playing in the 10-team Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) that got underway on 11 December in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Landry Adognon-led side may have gone winless in Group B, but Aishatou Kondoh, one of the most experienced players for the side, believes their participation puts their country's basketball on the map and will spur growth going forward. 

The side opened their campaign with an 87-69 performance against former Kenyan champions Equity Bank before going 77-52 against Cameroon's Overdose Up Station. In their last two matches, the side played for 96-65 against Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and 79-34 in their final group match against Angola's Inter Clube.

Talking exclusively with FIBA.basketball, Kondoh shade light on the team's experience in Alexandria: "It has been a magical experience. We were not able to go past the group stage but it has been a great learning opportunity. We played against some of the best players in the continent and beyond, including WNBA players and that was an incredible feat. We have picked valuable lessons here and I am confident we will come back better," Kondoh offered.

The 29-year-old, who had a 7-year professional stint in France and has represented her country in several competitions, including in 3x3, averaged 15 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the AWBL's Group Phase.

Aishatou Kondoh

She says her resolve to make basketball in Benin better pushed her to come back home: "I was playing while still working in France but I decided to come back home as I wanted to be close to my family and also get involved with the game at home. I wanted to use my experience to help the younger generation. Some look up to me and I am happy to help," she explains. 

She continued: "Benin basketball is still developing but the federation is doing well to uplift the standards. For us to compete with the best in Africa, we have to be in championships like this. In previous years we have just played in the qualifiers for continental events but this year we vowed to go all the way. It was not easy but we made it and that shows there is progress." 

Kondoh believes in a few years, Benin will be one of the favourites here. "We are already thinking about the next competition. We want to come back and improve on our performance here, reach the knock-out stage as we look to gradually grow into a powerhouse," she concluded. 

Veronica Keita

Her sentiments were echoed by 22-year-old Veronica Keita who agrees it has been a great learning platform. 

"I was happy to play against more experienced sides as they helped me learn more about my game. I leave here a better player," she opined. 

Keita has had a three-year stint in Senegal, while in school, before going back to play in Benin two seasons ago, qualifying for AWBL with the Cotonou-based side. 

"This has been an invaluable opportunity that has given me the confidence to face any player or team," she added. 

Asked what her biggest challenges playing in Benin are, Keita singled out lack of visibility among others. 

"Our league is neither recorded nor broadcasted and that means little visibility that would otherwise expose some of the best players to the rest of the world. Getting match-day videos to review my performance and know what I need to improve on is also big challenge," she stated. 

She is, however, not letting that dampen her spirit as she says watching some of the best players in action here (Alexandria) has given her a lot to work on when she returns to Benin. 

FIBA