MAPUTO (AfroBasket Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Mozambique's women's national team is hopeful it can carry on its tradition of being successful when hosting the AfroBasket Women and secure one of the two places on offer for African teams for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey.
Mozambique hosted the tournament in 1986 and 2003, finishing runners-up on both occasions, following defeats to then-Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) and Nigeria, respectively.
The African title is very much a goal for Nazir Sale's team, but a silver medal would be enough to qualify the team for the leading women's national team competition.
Mozambique got a taste of playing at a world event last year, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women (OQTW) in Ankara, Turkey, but lost both of their games there.
The country's Basketball Federation is making sure to avoid mistakes from the past, and over the past three months has invested in the team with training camps in three different continents, with stays in Japan, Portugal and Cuba.
Among the 12 Mozambicans to compete in Maputo will be 39-year-old center Clarisse Machanguana who revealed the team's mindset.
"Qualifying for the world championship means a reward for any player," the former WNBA star told local media.
"If we qualify, I would do my best to play, even if I am on crutches, I would like to play at the world championship.
"It is not going to be easy winning games, but it is not impossible," said Machanguana who led the team in scoring and rebounding at the OQTW.
"Unlike previous occasions, this year our preparations began early on. Right now, it is in our hands to compete."
Mozambique's captain Deolinda Ngulela followed suit.
"We are ready to compete," she said.
"We had a valuable preparation and we are ready to reach our objective which is to qualify for the world championship.
"All we need now is to feel our home fans' warmth as we need their support," Ngulela explained.
The 10-day tournament tips off on Friday and finishes on Sunday 29 September. It brings 12 African teams in Mozambique's capital city of Maputo.
Mozambique will take on Zimbabwe in their Group opener, followed by games against Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Algeria in Group A.
