Angola face Senegal test in #AfroBasketWomen 2019 Quarter-Finals

DAKAR (Senegal) - Former African champions Angola will face their biggest challenge at the ongoing FIBA Women's AfroBasket when they take on hosts Senegal on Thursday for a place in the Semi-Finals. 

In a repeat of the 2011 final that was won by Angola for their first African title, this tie renews an old rivalry that has seen the southern Africans emerge victorious thrice while losing two times to the 12-time record African champions. 

This in itself means that Angola hold the best record against the almost invincible Senegal on the African continent but Angola head coach Apolinario Paquete is dismissive of these statistics and said that "this will be a very difficult game for his side." 

Angola lost their opening game to Mali 71-63 but have since bounced back to win two consecutive games against Democratic Republic of Congo 69-49 and Kenya 64-51. 

On the other hand, Senegal are unbeaten in two games, winning against Cote d'Ivoire in the opener 77-36 before seeing off a very stubborn Egypt 85-47. 

This tie is expected to bring out the best in both sides with not just a final four placing at stake but with the Top Six sides at this tournament earning a place in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics pre-qualifying tournament in November. 

 Mali will be up against Cote d'Ivoire in a West African derby that will make for good viewing with Alpha Mane's side seeking their first ever win over their neighbours.

In five meetings at this tournament since 2000, Mali has won all contests convincingly at that level and will be looking to keep their 100% win ratio intact but they have their work cut out with the tournament's highest points scorer Djefarina Diawara already a handful to deal with averaging 21.7 points per game. 

Reigning champions Nigeria take on Democratic Republic of Congo in what is expected to be a physical contest as the Congolese look for their first Semi-Final ticket since 2005.

Back then Nigeria beat the Congolese 78-66 in the Semi-Finals to progress to the Final and defend their title. Mactabene Amachree, the current Nigeria team manager, averaged 14.2 points per game. 

Egypt will square off against  Mozambique in the other Quarter-Final as they look for a place in the final four for the first time since 1977 when they lost to Senegal in the final. None of the players on the current Egyptian side were born. 

FIBA