Matos brothers eager for greatness at AfroBasket 2015

MAPUTO (AfroBasket 2015) - Mozambique have never reached the Semi-Finals of an AfroBasket, but Pio Matos and his twin brother Augusto seem eager to take their country's basketball to another level.

When Mozambique open their AfroBasket 2015 Group B campaign against Angola on 20 August in Tunis, Pio, who is likely to appear in his fourth consecutive African championship, will make sure his teammates follow his winning mindset because, in his words to FIBA.com: "It is time to move on, go there, compete and win as many as possible."

At the age of 24, the twins - who also had their older brother Amarildo Matos play for Mozambique at AfroBasket 2011, have become pivotal members of their national team.

"Without a shadow of doubt, AfroBasket tournaments have made us better and more confident players," says Pio, the 1.86m point guard who led Mozambique with two assists per game at AfroBasket 2013.

Mozambique finished fifth at the 10-team 1983 African Championship. That was their best outing on the continental scene, but they have yet to take a step up following that experience.

Over the course of the last two decades, Mozambique have struggled to win more than two games at each AfroBasket they've taken part in, for a modest 10-40 record.

And the local press continues to take notice.

Not good enough, argues Pio, who acknowledges that "AfroBasket has become harder year after year because of the quality of players representing their countries.

We have to think that we can win games. If we don’t believe in ourselves, who will? - Pio Matos

"But we have to be better because of our talented group of players.

"We have to be able to change our mindset about AfroBasket.

In one of their best showings at AfroBasket 2013, Mozambique fought hard, leading Angola 38-37 at half-time, but the African champions bounced back to close the game with a 91-73 win.

There is no recollection of twin brothers featuring in the same AfroBasket, and Pio, who feels comfortable playing along his twin Augusto because of their "natural chemistry", understands he has become an unselfish team player, who puts the team first.

"My quickness to attack the basket as well as ball handling are my main assets," he said.

And he has a logical explanation as to how he and Augusto can contribute to Mozambique's success in Tunisia later this year.

He said: "We [as a team] are experienced enough to become more ambitious now. There is no harm in aiming higher goals at AfroBasket."

As well as Angola, Mozambique will face Morocco and Senegal in the Group Phase.

"Of course Group B is a tough one. It is going to be a challenge for us," Pio offered.

But before they take off to Tunisia, the three Matos brothers, who currently play for Desportivo de Maputo, are looking to reach the Mozambican League Finals this week and compete for the national championship title.

"My main priority right now is to win the national championship. Then, my dream is to win an AfroBasket, and, finally, get a chance to play in Europe leagues such as the Spanish, French or the German one," Pio said.

FIBA