Central African Republic coach Goporo calls up 20 players for AfroBasket 2015
BANGUI (AfroBasket 2015) - Newly-appointed Central African Republic (CAF) coach Aubin-Thierry Goporo has named a 20-player preliminary squad for preparations ahead of AfroBasket 2015.
BANGUI (AfroBasket 2015) - Newly-appointed Central African Republic (CAF) coach Aubin-Thierry Goporo has named a 20-player preliminary squad for preparations ahead of AfroBasket 2015.
Goporo, a member of the country's team that competed at the 1988 Olympics, will rely on Romain Sato, the nation's most experienced player, who last played for the side at AfroBasket 2009.
Sato, who currently plays for Valencia Basket in Spain's Liga ACB, is expected to help his country take another shot at the continental title.
Among the other players who could team up with him as Central Africa look to reverse the dwindling fortune of its game on the African continent are four who represented the national team two years ago in Cote d'Ivoire - Michael Mokongo, William Kossangue, Max Kouguere and Jimmy Djimrabaye.
The coach has also shortlisted Yannick Zachee, Maxime Zianveni and American-born James Mays, who all featured at AfroBasket 2011 in Madagascar.
Coach Goporo could have an herculean task of picking his final 12 from the legion of stars called up.
CAF, who were granted a wild card to take part in Africa's biggest basketball event, have been drawn in Group A, alongside hosts Tunisia, Nigeria and Uganda.
The two-time Africa champions are eyeing a return at the Olympics.
To achieve this, they will set out to win AfroBasket 2015, which serves as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Games.
If they finish second or third, they will get another chance at achieving their Olympic ambitions by competing in the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
Central African Republic (CAF) preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Destin Damachoua, Phillipe Dianda, Jimmy Djimrabaye, Severin Febou, Glenn Feidanga, Saladine Ganda, Johann Grebongo, William Kossangue, Dimitri Kongbo,Max Kouguere, Michael Mokongo, Joseph Junior Ghislain Madozien, James Mays, Eddy Ngoy, Wilfred Pollagba, Romain Sato, Amadou Sissoko, Wilfred Yenguete, Yannick Zachee and Maxime Zianveni.
FIBA