Final Preview: Cameroon and Senegal seek Olympic ticket in AfroBasket Women 2015 Final

YAOUNDE (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Cameroon square off against Senegal in the Final of the AfroBasket Women on Saturday at the Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Palace with the title and Olympic qualification at stake.

Tournament hosts Cameroon, the only undefeated team in the tournament with seven wins, advanced to the championship game after beating Nigeria on Friday, while Senegal (5-2) clinched their place by defeating reigning champions Angola.

Cameroon are looking to become the first host team to win the AfroBasket Women since Nigeria in 2005, while 10-time Africa champions Senegal are going after their second continental title since 2009.

If statistics are anything to go by, Cameroon hold a slight advantage heading into their clash with the Senegalese.

Cameroon rank number one in the tournament in field-goal shooting percentage (40.6 percent).

But Senegal have done a lot of things well, too, like crashing the boards.

Their 47.4 rebounds per game is second to only Nigeria.

Ramses Lonlack and Amina Njonkou have given Cameroon a lot of energy in the tournament so much will be expected of them in the title game.

Senegal’s trio of Aya Traore, Astou Traore and Maimouna Diarra have carried Moustapha Gaye’s team.

Diarra averages a team-high 8.1rpg while Aya and Astou combining for 13.5ppg.

Senegal are supremely confident going into the game, having brought an end to Angola’s three-peat attempt.

That triumph was their first over Angola in their last four meetings.

However, facing Cameroon in front of a rowdy crowd will add to the challenge for Senegal.

The hosts have reached the Final for the very first time.

Ramses Lonlack (CMR)

Lonlack, who averages 15.7ppg, must play well for Cameroon to beat a very good Senegal team for the first time in their history.

The last time the two side met, at AfroBasket Women 2013, Mame Marie Sy hit a game-winning three-pointer as Senegal won the Third-Place game, 56-53.

"This is what we have been working for," Lonlack said to FIBA.com after leading Cameroon into the Final.

"We have been waiting for this game for two years. It's going to be physical, but we are going to use our quickness."

Astou Traore (SEN)

The game will be a special one for 34-year-old Astou Traore, who has never won an AfroBasket Women title and has promised to continue representing her country until the moment she lifts the trophy. 

Talking to FIBA.com Cameroon's head coach Alain Zedong said that his team "is ready to play for the title in front of fellow Cameroonians."

Tune in to LiveBasketball.TV (registration and subscription required) to watch the Third-Place Game and Final of the tournament live.  

 FIBA