Essono and Gabon chasing big dreams ahead of AfroBasket Pre-qualifiers
With players like power forward Farell Drexler Dimidiamba and centre Dolivitch Moupomo, who were also at the AfroCan, Gabon have continuity.
LIBREVILLE (Gabon) - As Gabon prepares for the FIBA AfroBasket in Equatorial Guinea (February 28 - February 29), veteran player Lerry Essono encouraged his teammates to "dream and have self belief".
Gabon will play a two-legged tie against their neighbours in the Equatorial Guinea capital, Malabo.
Ahead of the short trip to Bioko Island, where Malabo is situated, Essono highlighted a few challenges in their domestic game.
"We are a young and talented team. One of the things we have been working on is our chemistry," said the 31-year-old forward.
"The players selected are here because they understand the game. We have our difficulties. Our country does not have a strong championship. We lack infrastructure such as gyms and arenas.
"But we are working hard and we want to show that on the court."
Essono, who plays for Cameroon's FAP, was part of the Gabonese team that played in the 2023 FIBA AfroCan in Angola.
The Central African nation finished ninth in the 12-nation tournament.
He reflected on the competition and how it impacted the team.
"The AfroCan was a good experience for myself. It was my first time playing in it, and it was the same for other young players. We won one game against Kenya and that made us believe we cand do better," said Essono.
Gabon last participated in an AfroBasket pre-qualifier in 2017. And they last competed in the AfroBasket in 2015.
Essono says a successful qualification process hinges on preparation. He also spoke with a sense of realism about the team's prospects.
"We have to go step-by-step. There is a saying in basketball, 'If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail'," said Essono. "Now, we are not ready for a tournament like the AfroBasket. We are building a team and improving the standard of our basketball.
"We are understanding how the game works and building a team for the future. Our young players are going overseas to learn the game. So, in three or five years we will have a team that will be able to compete against the best in Africa."
With players like power forward Farell Drexler Dimidiamba and centre Dolivitch Moupomo, who were also at the AfroCan, Gabon have continuity.
The two players and the rest of the team are going to fight for the country, according to Essono.
"Everyone is engaged. These guys are talented and want to fight. We have a fighting spirit. We have told ourselves we are going on to the court to fight for the country," said Essono. "By the time a game ends and no matter what the result is, our opponents must we gave them a fight."
He also advised his teammates to broaden their horizons ahead of the qualifiers.
"Dream. Dream big and trust yourselves. I played in the 2015 AfroBasket and got to see great players like Carlos Morais. When you play against these great players... It increases your belief," said Essono.
FIBA