DR Congo's Biyombo: ''I can't wait to play my first game for the national team''

KINSHASA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Three games into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are yet to win a game, but Bismack Biyombo believes they can turn things around sooner rather later.

Biyombo is urging his fellow Congolese - including some currently playing in major leagues around the globe - to come together and put their country's name on the international basketball map. 

I WANT TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM NOT ONLY TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY BUT ALSO TO BRING DR CONGO INTO THE WORLD'S BASKETBALL MAP. TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, WE HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND REACHING A SPOT FOR CHINA 2019 IS ONE OF THE GOALS." - Biyombo

The turning point for the Congolese's African Qualifiers fortunes, the 25-year-old insists, has to start in June-July's FIBA's third window of the African Qualifiers when they travel to Egypt for Group C's defining second-leg against the host nation, Angola, and Morocco.

"I watched the guys play the first three games and it was a bit frustrating because we lost by a small margin," he explained to FIBA.basketball.

And, the appointment of head coach John Douaglin last week wasn't the last change in the Congolese who aspire to secure one of the five tickets for African teams for next year's FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. 

The 6ft9in (2.07m) power forward says they need "a collective effort to win those games."

"It’s not about me, it is about the national team. The team has a lot of talent and we are all trying to bring all of the talents from DR Congo to play for the national team. Not only myself but also a couple of guys that play in pro leagues in Europe and some other talents who play around the world, like my fellow compatriot in the NBA, Emmanuel Mudiay."

"We have been talking a lot about it, and I know that he would like to help the national team too. We want to build a very competitive team and qualify for international competitions as soon as possible."

This is not the first time Biyombo gives his country a thumbs up, but this time around, and encouraged by FIBA's insurance that covers players involved in the World Cup Qualifiers, Biyombo seems more committed to representing DR Congo than ever before.

"I can’t wait to play my first game for the national team and I hope it will happen this summer," he revealed.

"I would like to help the guys for the June - July window. We are trying to make it work and I am putting all the efforts possible to wear the national team jersey this summer. I have always wanted to do so, and I can’t wait for that day to happen."

To advance to the 12-team second-round in the African Qualifiers, DR Congo will need to finish in the first three places of Group C.

Biyombo too admits that they need to step up "and keep fighting because we have a lot of talent and we want to make it to the next round. It is still possible despite the bad start, I am positive about this."

"I want to play for the national team not only to represent my country but also to bring DR Congo into the world’s basketball map. To achieve that goal, we have to qualify for international competitions and reaching a spot for China 2019 is one of the goals."

"I dream about helping DR Congo qualify for the World Cup and for the next competitions. By playing against the best teams and players, that will make us improve and be a better team."

FIBA