LUBUMBASHI (Democratic Republic of Congo) - ASB Makomeno of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will make their debut at the Women's Basketball League Africa in Senegal (6-15 December) after falling short in recent years.
Makomeno is one of the strong teams in the DRC and ahead of their first appearance in the continental tournament, they will try to make a good impression.
They will also want to play in honour of the memory of their late coach, Simplice Tshibangu, who passed away in September.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE WBLA QUALIFIERS
The team from Lubumbashi clinched their third Coupe de Congo title, which gained them qualification for Zone 4 WBLA qualifiers.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 WBLA
In the zonal qualifiers in Cameroon (between October and November), ASB Makomeno topped Group C of their zonal qualifiers with a 3-1 record.
KEY PLAYERS
Laura Kabongo averaged 12 points per game in Cameroon and will lead Makomeno's attack. She is also a solid rebound (9.5 rebounds per game).
Mali's Kadiatou Coulibaly put in good work with 8.3 points and eight rebounds in the qualifiers. Milove Muembia, Ruth Masoga and Zimbabwe's Dorcas Marondera are dependable players for the DRC club.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
Tania Kokolo, Milove Muembia and Celestine Misoga have represented the Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean duo of Marondera and Chawayipira have donned the colours of their Southern African country.
HEAD COACH
ASB Makomeno is led by Zimbabwean coach Samuel Mutsvangwa, who has coached Harare City Hornets.
FIBA