FIBA | Making the semis in 2011, our target – Coach Daniels of South Africa

South Africa Women national team is one of the twelve nations participating in the 21st edition of the FIBA Africa Championship for Women in Madagascar and the performance of the young rainbow girls pleases the team Head Coach Craig Daniels who describe the championship as growing.

Coach Daniels in a brief interview with FIBA AFRICA says his ward may not be among the top contender for the title but that they have learnt one or two things from the championship – experience- which they hope to take home and build on against the 2011 edition. In appraising the level of the championship, Coach Daniel says Africa women basketball has indeed grown in terms of skill and promised that South Africa will definitely make it to the semi-finals of the next edition. Excerpt:

FIBA AFRICA: Coach can you briefly appraise the standard of play here in Madagascar?

Coach Daniels: Honestly, I’m impressed with the level of skills on display it shows that the game is growing in the continent and we cannot afford to be left out. I think it’s a departure of what we use to have in Africa basketball in the past – that physical, we now have skilful players and good quality play from teams here.

FIBA AFRICA: How would you rate the performance of your team?

Coach Daniels: I will score my players high because they a group of young and inexperience players and I must say that we have not been disgraced by any of the bigger teams. My players have really make me proud despite the fact that we might not make to the knock-out stages but I am pleased with their level of play and I know that they are now well-off in terms of gaining more experience from some of the established players they have played against.

FIBA AFRICA: What should the rest of the Africa continent in particular and the world in general expect from South Africa in few years to come?

Coach Daniels: Oh! It won’t be too far as we hope to keep all the players together and preparation for the next edition in 2011 starts immediately we get back to South Africa and the world should expect to see a better and competing South African side. And our target is to make it to the semi-finals of the 22nd FIBA Africa Championship in 2011.

FIBA AFRICA: Message to FIBA Africa?

Coach Daniels: I think they are doing great in terms helping the game to grow in the continent and this is to urge various national federations to work closely with FIBA Africa so that the game can continue to move up.

info/photos: FIBA Africa
photos edited by alsaINTERACTIVEMEDIA

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