Anas Mahmoud on what Egypt need to do to return to World Cup

CAIRO (Egypt) - Egypt are pushing aside recent falls in basketball with sights on a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers ticket, so says team Anas Mahmoud, one of the team's key players.

The 2.14m (7ft), who helped Zamalek win the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) title last year, sat out most of Egypt's 2021 AfroBasket campaign after suffering a shoulder injury in their opener against the Central African Republic, says he can't wait to wear the Pharaohs uniform again.

"REPRESENTING OUR NATION IS A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR AND WE WILL NEVER TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED, AND OUR GOAL IS TO RESTORE EGYPT' BASKETBALL TO ITS GLORY."Anas Mahmoud

The former Louisville Cardinals players says that he is determined to point the direction for the new generation of Egypt basketball players that now look beyond past failures to get back to winning ways.

Egypt, who last featured in the World Cup in 2014, will open their African Qualifiers run in Group D against DR Congo, Kenya and host Senegal from February 25-27 in Dakar.

A tall task this is for Egypt thanks to the fact that they play host Senegal in their first of three games at the Dakar Arena with the boisterous home fans routing for the Lions all the way.

Mahmoud told FIBA.basketball ahead of Window 2 of the African Qualifiers that his team is all out for action and will give their best to better their chances ahead of the third and fourth Windows.

The teams that finish in the top three places of each group advance to the 12-team Second Round of the African Qualifiers. 

Under a new coaching staff headed by Canadian Roy Rana, Mahmoud insists that the team is adapting to the new philosophy the technical crew has introduced and the players are making the best of it. "We are getting better. As a team, we had some changes done after the [2021] AfroBasket and we have a new coaching staff now and we are working together to fix some of the issues we had back in August 2021."

 
Reflecting on the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in which Egypt fell short, [despite a 7-5 record], it was more of a heart break for Mahmoud and he admits that they indeed didn't get things right.

"Last Qualifiers we finished short and we did not qualify to the World Cup but we also were never able to have everyone at once for example. I only played the last window when we beat Tunisia. Now, however, I feel good as long as we are able to keep everyone healthy and in shape and I think that will be the toughest challenge for us.

"If I remember correctly, we were doing good until that Window here in Egypt when we gave up a couple of games [against DR Congo and Angola] that on paper we should have won, so the challenge is definitely how to stay focused the whole way and never lose sight of the goal we are trying to accomplish. 'Eyes on the prize' if you will. We have to take care of the games that we can't give up and keep reminding ourselves that it's a long journey."

Speaking on what it means to represent his country, the 26-year-old, who was voted the MVP of the Egyptian Super League for the 2021 season, notes that he feels wonderful.

"It feels great. I mean being able to play basketball at this level is a pleasure and you never feel the appreciation until you are forced to stay away from it. My shoulder is 200% and I'm slowly getting my rhythm back and when it's set and done I will be ready to compete with my guys. "

As the big day draws closer for Window 2, Mahmoud points out that his side is a lot more united ahead of the Qualifiers. "Our motto is together unbreakable. Representing our nation is a pleasure and an honor and we will never take that for granted, and our goal is to restore Egypt's basketball to its glory."

Mahmoud says the Pharaohs are not losing sight of the big task ahead of them and do not take any team for granted especially when their first game is against the host Senegal.

"Definitely not, Senegal is one of the top teams in Africa and I like to play the underdog role. It's a long journey and being able to play such an experienced team means a lot. The very beginning will only help us get better and develop.

"With the talents we have and the amount of work we have put in, I think we are right where we want to be at the moment. I really love the commitment from everyone involved from players, coaching staff, and the federation. And whatever happens in that first game, we will be ready to compete the following two days. It's a long journey so we have to take care of business early and let's not leave anything to chance," he stressed.

On a lighter note, Mahmoud says his passion for the game is one that will take him for the rest of his life as he does not intend to depart from basketball even when he ends his active career.

"After I'm done playing I will dive right into helping basketball in Egypt evolve. It has been a goal of mine to help young generations learn the game the way I did when I went to the States, and do what I can to impact the basketball world in Africa starting from Egypt."

FIBA