Handball - Christiane Mwassessa: "Playing the Women's African Handball Championship at home is an honour"

Sport News Africa: The Women's African Handball Championship is being staged in the DRC for the first time in history. Will you be there?

Christiane Mwassessa: Yes, it's an honour and I don't intend to miss this chance to play the Women's African Handball Championship at home. If I'm here, it's because I'm going to play.

At 39, do you think you still have the same physical and technical qualities to carry this DRC side?

Christiane Mwassessa: It's my job. If I'm here, it's because I still have something to offer my country, as I always have. We are preparing accordingly, knowing it's a big event that will take place on home soil. Personally, I'm preparing properly to show a good image of our country and to welcome the new young players coming into the team. I'm at the end of my career and I must set a good example for the youngsters.

As host nation, why did you choose Group B, a tough group with Angola, Tunisia and Cameroon?

Christiane Mwassessa: It's a strategy. I spoke to the president of the federation and he told me to take Group B. You know, when there's a big beast, it's better to face it early. We have confidence in our team and we know that in the later rounds we will face opponents weaker than Angola, and we'll take it game by game for as far as the competition carries us.

Read also: Women's African Handball Championship: group draw made

You missed the last edition of the Women's African Handball Championship. What was the reason?

Christiane Mwassessa: By nature, I don't mix sport with my private life. I had personal problems, and that's why I was absent from the court. But I hadn't abandoned the team; I was still in touch with the girls.

The DRC haven't reached the semi-finals of the Women's African Handball Championship for two editions. What could take them all the way in Kinshasa?

Christiane Mwassessa: We respect all our opponents and we'll take the matches one after another. There are strategies, and we will have training camps to prepare better. And I believe that playing at home in front of our own fans will help us enormously to go as far as possible, and why not win the Women's African Handball Championship.

There is a new coach in charge of the national team. Do you think that will change anything?

Christiane Mwassessa: I don't think so. The coach brings his new philosophy, but it's us, the players, who will make things happen on the court. We've been playing together for some time and we know each other. The new coach will simply help us raise the national flag even higher.