''We want Guinean basketball to be recognized more,'' - Mansare

YAOUNDE (Guinea) - Chasing dreams is an attribute that gives Guinea shooting guard Cedric Mansare sleepless nights and qualifying for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 is on top of his priority list at the moment.

Drawn in Group C along with hosts Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, Michel Perrin's side have their work cut out at the Qualifiers that tip off from February 21-23 at the Yaounde Sports Complex in Cameroon's administrative capital. 

Guinea, who are looking to qualify for a second consecutive edition, find themselves between a rock and a hard place in a tough group that will call for their focus and an ability to be extraordinary if they are to achieve their target. 

"OUR OBJECTIVE IS CLEARLY TO QUALIFY FOR THE FIBA AFROBASKET 2021. WE WANT GUINEAN BASKETBALL TO BE RECOGNIZED MORE."- Mansare

For Mansare,  this is an opportunity to lead his side with the experience he has gained over the years playing in Europe. It is definitely not a walk in the park but it is a challenge he and his teammates have vowed to give their all to get the all-important ticket. 

Guinea begin their qualification campaign against their neighbors Cote d'Ivoire in a typical West African derby that is expected to set the pace for the rest of the tournament. It is a game that is expected to bring out the best in both sides but according to Mansare, they come into this one as the underdogs. 

Cote d'Ivoire featured at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China and with that experience will come into this tie hoping to show their prowess and to evoke even more respect by winning their opening game. Mansare and his teammates are aware of it. 

In an exclusive interview, he told FIBA.basketball that, "We are neighbors. It will be a big match and we shall need to pay a lot of attention if we are to be able to win our first game of the tournament. It is important to start a competition with one more victory against a big nation."

Against Cameroon, they will face a highly motivated side playing in front of their home fans but Mansare is confident that along with his teammates, Guinea too have a lot to lose. 

On the other hand, Equatorial Guinea presents a decent challenge if history is anything to go by then this tie has all the aspects of a derby even though the two sides are in a different zone but the similarity in their names creates a thinly veiled rivalry. 

"It is a group where the level is very high. It is up to us to be focused in order to achieve something.  Our objective is clearly to qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021. We want Guinean basketball to be recognized more."

"Qualification for Rwanda will need maximum contribution from both players and the coaching staff. We want to win as many games as possible."

The top three teams from this qualifiers will automatically qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda where the best teams on the continent will feature. 

FIBA