Ambitious ASB Mazembe target Basketball Africa League 2020 Final Round

LUBUMBASHI (Democratic Republic of Congo) – Ahead of Group C of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers in Libreville, AS Mazembe can't hide their intentions of making to the Final Round.

And the Gabonese capital is the stage that the DR Congo side looks as the platform for the newly-launched continental competition.

And things might get heated up as from Wednesday, when they will begin their quest for their ticket.

Drawn in a group that includes Forces Armees et Police Basketball of Cameroon, Les Abeilles from the Central African Republic and Gabon's Manga, AS Mazembe couldn't be more  confident: "We are definitely going to use what our previous games brought us to progress to the next round," says coach Simplice Bukasa Tshibangu.

For the upcoming games, they have a special plan, where they will give everything they have to get to the next round.

"This is the moment the boys trained for. They know what they have to do and they will do it right.”

AS Mazembe have been building confidence from their recent national title against their rivals STCP Kinshasa. The trophy, and the fact that they have been crowned FIBA Africa Zone 4 champions on six occasions, has seen them travel to Gabon where they would want to keep their winning ways.

They have been reinforced with only one player. "We didn’t get what we were looking for. Financial issues had us rethink our strategy for this BAL. But we’ll definitely make good use of it," the playcaller added. 

And this time around, they won’t be taken aback by their opponents.

Back in February, they registered only a win against Madagascar's COSPN in the preliminary round of the FIBA Africa Basketball League.

Now, they will have to face Manga, who will be hosting the qualifying round. "This is the only team we might need to fear. They will be playing home. They will have their public alongside."

The other teams, however, might also pose a threat to ASB Mazembe’s ambitions. "This is why we need to respect them. They are sure to give us a hard time during our stay there."

Arsene Mwana Mwamba (ASB Mazembe)

But coach Tshibangu says that things might get along just fine if Arsene Mwana Mamba steps up and takes his responsibilities.

The 18-year old point guard is regarded as the one who can turn the game at any given point: "Back in February, he didn’t get to play too much. But now, he’s ready to perform at this level."

FIBA