AfroBasket Women 2015 - Team Profile: Senegal

DAKAR (AfroBasket Women 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket Women 2015, we take a closer look at all 12 participating teams competing in the championship running from 24 September-3 October in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Team: Senegal
FIBA Women Ranking: 24th
Last participation at AfroBasket Women: 2013 (6 wins, 2 losses; 3rd place)
Best results in the history of AfroBasket Women: African Champions in 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2009
Qualified for AfroBasket Women 2015: Bronze medalist in 2013

History / Qualification: Senegal are one of the most regular team on the podium of AfroBasket Women.

To date the team has clinched 19 podium finishes including 10 titles, six second-places and three third-places in 21 appearances in the event.

Back in 2000, Senegal made their first-ever Olympic appearance at the Sydney Games, where the West Africans finished with five losses in as many games.

Senegal, who missed out on the top step of the AfroBasket Women podium between 2003 and 2007, won their 10th and last continental title in 2009 in Madagascar.

Two years ago in Maputo, Mame Marie Sy and her teammates fell short of reaching the Final following a heartbreaking 46-43 loss against Angola in the Semi-Finals of AfroBasket Women 2013.

As result, Senegal could not secure qualification for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Championship 

This year, with Moustapha Gaye back in charge of the team, Senegal are seen as one of the serious AfroBasket Women’s title contenders.

Senegal have been drawn in Group B alongside reigning champions Angola, Guinea, Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria.

Key player: Aya Traore, the MVP of AfroBasket Women 2009, is one of the key players on Senegal's roster. In a recent interview with fiba.com, she could not hide her ambition of winning this year’s tournament and punch the automatic qualification for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

With Mame Marie Sy, she will be one of the leaders of the "Lionesses" in their battle for the continental crown.

Rising Star: Oumoul Khairy Thiam featured for the first time with Senegal at AfroBasket Women 2013 and averaged 9.1 points per game.

This year, the 25-year-old guard - who plays for Spanish side Campus Promete Logrono in the LFB - has acquired much experience and will be an important asset along with Astou Traore and the other experienced players.

Outlook: For his return on Senegal's bench, Gaye has set as target to lead Senegal to the highest step of the podium and qualify his team for the 2016 Olympics in 2016.

Possible outcome: The team is likely to reach at least the Semi-Finals.

FIBA