Mpaka set to return as Angola announce a 16-player preliminary squad for FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 training camp
LUANDA (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) - The Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) on Saturday announced a 16-player preliminary squad for their FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 training camp.
LUANDA (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) - The Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) on Saturday announced a 16-player preliminary squad for their FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 training camp.
While two-time FIBA Women's AfroBasket MVP Nacissela Mauricio has retired from her playing career and Nadir Manuel is currently on maternity leave, head coach Jaime Covilha called up terrific defender Clarisse Mpaka, rebounding specialist Whitney Miguel and Cristina Matiquite - a trio that helped Angola win one of their two African Championships titles.
Both Mpaka and Miguel last played for Angola in the 2013 edition of the African Championship in Mozambique, while Matiquite - a 1.92m center - last represented her country in 2011 in Mali.
| Angola 16-player preliminary squad for FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 | |||
| Artemis Afonso | Joana Antonio | Rudiane Eduardo | Fineza Eusebio |
| Ngiendula Filipe | Rosa Gala | Ana Goncalves | Felizarda Jorge |
| Italee Lucas | Jessica Malagi | Elizabeth Mateus | Cristina Matiquite |
| Whitney Miguel | Clarisse Mpaka | Sonia Guadalupe Ndoniema | Luisa Tomas |
Among the new faces on the Covilha's preliminary squad are Italee Lucas, Rudiane Eduardo, Jessica Malagi and Elizabeth Mateus.
This year's African Championship will take place in the Malian capital city of Bamako from August 18-27.
And the two finalists nations will represent Africa at FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain.
Teams qualified for the 12-team FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 include Angola, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia. One wildcard will be attributed by FIBA Africa.
FIBA