Diop promises last-ditch effort to help Senegal women reclaim AfroBasket crown

Diop promises last-dtich effort with Senegal

JOHANNESBURG, March 16 (ANA) – Determined to help her side reclaim the women’s AfroBasket (African Basketball Championship) title they last won in 2015, Senegal’s Mame Marie Sy Diop wants to go out on a high with her team.

Sy Diop was part of the Senegal side which competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, qualifying courtesy of their win in the 2015 AfroBasket.

Since then Senegal have made it to the final of the AfroBasket in 2017 and 2019, but on both occasions lost to Nigeria.

Now aged 35, Sy Diop will give it her all in the 2021 AfroBasket which will likely be her last.

Sy Diop told Fiba.basketball: “I am a very committed player in what I do. I am a fighter. On the court, I use my determination and commitment to participate in the collective goal. I put all the necessary means to win.

“We’re still aiming for the title. Senegal is recognized as the most successful country in Africa and it is our duty to keep the team at the highest level. We had years of failure but that is part of the sport. Senegal will bounce back to regain the title.”

On Senegal’s defeats in the last two editions Sy Diop said: “I can say that it is the rule of sport but at the same time we had our destiny in our hands. We were surprised by Nigeria in 2017 and normally we knew what awaited us in 2019 but unfortunately, we lost against a very good Nigeria team.

“Nigeria want to make history and that is understandable. It’s up to us to learn from our failures in order to be able to prepare properly for 2021 [African Championship].”

Drawing from a wider pool of players would be the key to Senegal reclaiming their throne in African women’s basketball Sy Diop explained.

“We have to try to bring together the players that we have all over the place so that they can give the team new life. We have so many talented players who are able to wear the national jersey.

“I want to see Senegal on the top step [of the podium] and stay there again because we are a basketball country. We have the means to do it.

“I would like young people to be able to continue to have international competitions. This will allow them to be ready when they reach the national team. It is very important to make this transition.” – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman