Can Cote d’Ivoire finally taste success at the #AfroBasketWomen 2019?

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Rivalling for continental domination at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket is something Cote d’Ivoire know all too well having previously featured in the event twelve times.

The first time Cote d’Ivoire competed in the basketball showpiece, it was still referred to as the FIBA Africa Championship for Women and is undoubtedly a distant memory to many within the country’s basketball fraternity.

For more than four decades, "Les éléphantes" have been regulars at the bonanza, garnering a wealth of experience that comes in handy in such pinnacle continental events.

In their previous continental experiences, the team’s quest to integrate the final three has hit a snag with the Ivoirians finishing fourth twice in 1977 and 2009. But there is a feeling the Senegal expedition could just be the place where "Les Elephantes" ambitions materialize.

FIBA World Ranking: No. 7 in Africa (53^RD in the world)

Goal: For far too long, the Ivoirians have been on the fringes of glory and after 12 failed attempts to reign supreme, there’s a zeal within the team to do better than the previous generations. With a fine cast of experienced players, a final four finish should be their prime goal. But who knows, things may just flip like a switch and finally lead Cote d'Ivoire to a 40-year ambition.

Latest Results:  (Fifth place finish at FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 in Bamako, Mali)

Play style: Cote d’Ivoire are graced with the sort of artistry and brilliance that will leave basketball diehards astonished. Their resilience make them a team hard to overcome.

How can they shock the continent? Cote d’Ivoire will head to Senegal as one of the teams to watch out for and the other sides will come prepared for them.

While "Les Elephantes" do know how to run the floor, their execution was their Achilles heel two years ago in Mali but if they can get their three point execution right then they will be a real threat.

Also team cohesion and game management has been an underbelly for the side in previous outings. In crucial games, the team has simply failed to hit the right notes but if this is addressed then the Ivoirians will be more potent.

Head coach: French man Simon Guillou who led the West Africans two years ago in Bamako is sitting out the tournament as former International Alpha Mane will be heading the technical bench in Senegal.

Key players: Kani Kouyate will turn 29 on August 8, a day before the start of the Senegal expedition and having been Cote d'Ivoire's silver lining in their last FIBA Women's AfroBasket where she averaged 12.1 points, she is expected to replicate her fine fettle in Senegal.

24-year-old Kariata Diaby will be one to watch out for. On the books of French side Villeneuve D’ASCQ in the (LFB-French women’s basketball league), the 1.93m center was impressive while on the books of Landerneau Basket averaging 16.16 points in the past season.

 Rising star: Mariam Gnanou is a wonder to watch. She plays with so much finesse and charisma that’s unusual with centers. At 22, Gnanou has been a standout player for Oklahoma State University Cowgirls and the team’s coach Jim Littell has described her as "a good player with a great work ethic and the right attitude". There’s no doubt Cote d’Ivoire will be heading to Senegal with a pearl in Gnanou.

Overview: Cote d’Ivoire have some physically imposing players and have plans of using this to their advantage. For long they have flirted with near success and seem exasperated with not being able to lay their hand on the continent’s silverware.

Obviously they’re a side to be taken seriously and with a group of amazing players, it is hard to fathom them not making it to the latter stages of the tournament.

Hopefully the arrival of a new coach can spark a new impetus within the side.

FIBA