Lukeni Goncalves and Co giving Angola hope

LUANDA (2016 Olympics) - A number of young top prospects seem ready to take the challenge of wearing the Angolan jersey in the upcoming three 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

Gerson Domingos, Silvio Sousa, Bruno Fernandes and Gerson Lukeni Goncalves have done so well in the past couple of seasons that it is not a surprise that they emerge as potential fits for the eleven-time African champions.

In fact they give Angolans hope.

Sousa and Fernandes continue to make waves stateside playing high school for Monteverde Academy.

Domingos, who was named MVP at Basketball Without Borders Africa 2013 and followed his success with MVP honours at 2014 U18 FIBA Africa, remains a top prospect for the point guard position.

Angola missed out direct qualification for the Olympic Games for the second in a row, following a 74-65 defeat to Nigeria in the 2015 AfroBasket final.

Now, they have a second chance to reach the Rio de Janeiro Games by participating in one of the OQTs.

And, Lukeni Goncalves - a 1.92m shooting guard/ who adjusts well at small forward and starred in the just concluded 2015 FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC), helping Petro de Luanda win the continental flagship clubs competition for the first time since 2006 - can’t wait for his chances to come in the new year.

“I just hope to keep on working and deserve the attention from the national team coaching team,” Lukeni Goncalves told FIBA.com. 

Lukeni Goncalves is a regular member of Angola youth teams, and has helped Angola win the 2015 All-African Games in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, but it's the big stage with senior team that keeps him thriving.

From left to right: Gerson Lukeni Goncalves, Leonel Paulo and Bonifacio Domingos (ANG), Final 2015 Africa Champions Cup, Luanda, Angola, 19 December 201

Back at 2014 Africa U18 Championship, the sharpshooter backed Domingos with 16.6 points per game as they clinched a fourth-place finish.

He wants he lot more, he says.  

Hopefully I get a call up next year to represent the senior team - Lukeni Goncalves

"I know we are going to face teams from outside Africa, and that’s the kind of challenge that I look forward to.

“I have played a few international tournaments, and they keep making me a better player. The stronger and more experienced the opponent, the better for me as keep challenging myself."

In his most recent international appearance at 2015 ACC , Lukeni Goncalves' two three-pointers proved vital for Petro de Luanda to eliminated rivals Primeiro D'Agosto in the semi-finals. He finished with eight points, three rebounds and two assists in just 18 minutes.

“They keep saying that I am a shooter, but I can do a lot more than just shooting from long range. I can play defense, I can drive to the basket and rebound well also.

“I feel opponents struggle stopping me because they are not used to come up against a left-handed player. That makes me feel good about it." 

Gerson Lukeni Goncalves (ANG)

Angola are one of the three African teams - including Tunisia and Senegal - involved in the 18-team OQTs.

The 19-year-old Lukeni Goncalves feels he can contribute. So can Domingos, Sousa and Fernando.

“These are only some of the best talents in the country. There is a big number of youngsters looking to represent the senior national team.

We still have some great players in the team, and I am sure they have a lot to teach the new generation. We look up to them, and, personally I feel I can contribute to the national team - Lukeni Goncalves

“My strongest point is my attitude towards the team. For me, team comes first, and that’s how I hope to keep on building my basketball career."

Asked what went wrong with Angola in the AfroBasket final four months ago, the youngster said: “I don’t think we played well defensively. We lacked communication."

And, what can Lukeni Goncalves bring to the table if he receives a call for the OQT?

He says if he is called to represent his country he’ll grab the opportunity with two hands because chances like that don’t happen very often.

“Hopefully, I will be a better player that I am today. I just keep working every day to improve aspects of my game," he pointed out."

FIBA