Kouguere eyes a 20th AfroBasket stint for the Central African Republic

BANGUI (Central African Republic) - In the history of African basketball, only six nations - Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia - have appeared in the continent's flagship tournament FIBA AfroBasket more than 20 times.

All of these countries have won the tournament at least once, dating back to Morocco's 1965 triumph, and now two-time AfroBasket victors, the Central African Republic (CAF), have set their eyes on joining this very elitist cast.

'Les Fauves', as the Central Africans are nicknamed, have featured in the continental jamboree an amazing 19 times. They received a wild card for the 2015 AfroBasket, and qualified for all AfroBasket competitions since 2009.

They are keen on securing a twentieth appearance in the tournament.

 Kouguere keen on dazzling for another AfroBasket appearance

"The goal for us is to qualify for the AfroBasket in Rwanda. It's a very important tournament for us as a team and a nation," CAF captain Max Kouguere told FIBA.basketball.

"We can also make history by becoming one of the very few nations on the continent to have appeared in the competition 20 times.

"It will be a testimony of how well basketball has grown in the country but I also think it will spur our officials to focus on more on the sport and invest."

The 1.99m (6ft 6in) forward, who has played in five AfroBaskets and hoping for a sixth appearance, has been forecasting on the spinoffs that could come with an eventual qualification for the Rwanda showdown.

But the gap between his wishes and reality are the qualifiers where the CAF match up Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar in Group A.

Defending champions Tunisia with their constellation of star names could provide the greatest threats to the Central Africans' ambitions but Kouguere thinks their rivals are teams of great mettle.

"Tunisia won the AfroBasket in 2017 and they had an honourable participation at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. That tells you of how good a side they are.

"They have a very good team with some experienced players and on a good day they're easily the best team on the continent.

"The Democratic Republic of Congo are also a very good, talented team. We've played against them several times and we know what they can do.

"They won the first FIBA AfroCan last year and that means even without their stars in Europe or the NBA, they can perform.

"Madagascar are a youthful side and have improved a lot. They are capable of providing some obstacles to us."

The 33 year-old Kouguere is cognizant he and teammates have to step up their game for the Qualifiers which he holds will be a display of basketball wizardry.

Kouguere is upbeat they can take the group by storm provided they work on their frailties discovered during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers.

"We've not played together for long as a team and that means we've not been able to work on some of our weaknesses.

"Our focus should be defending properly against these teams. During the World Cup Qualifiers that's one aspect of our game that was lacking.

"Last year, Against Nigeria we conceded 114 points and lost that game by a wide margin. That's something we can't afford to do if we want to be in Rwanda next year.

"Senegal beat us 91-82 and if we head into the Qualifiers defending like that, our opponents will roast us," the former Antibes player in the French top tier (LNB) disclosed adding, "We have to be more aggressive on the court, organize our game properly and perhaps we can do something good.

"We need a very good preparation especially for the younger players in the team. We'll have to see if we can secure more baskets, dare more with the shots, get some crucial steals and also work on our rebounds.

"If we are able to do this then there's no reason why we shouldn't be in Rwanda in 2021," Kouguese said.

The Brazzaville native who contributed 12.6 points and 4.1 rebounds during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, is best placed to understand the emotions the game triggers in his home country.

Kouguere has been dazzling with his country's national team for 15 years and has come to comprehend that basketball is the leading sport in the Central African Republic.

The quest to put smiles on the faces of "Les Fauves" fans seems to have permanently consumed Kouguere who is aware of the socio-political impact a 20th AfroBasket stint will have at home.

"BASKETBALL IS THE NUMBER ONE SPORT IN OUR COUNTRY AND WE WANT TO GIVE FANS REASONS TO REJOICE."
- Max Kouguere

"We want to do it for the fans. We want to make them proud because they've stood beside us despite the problems we've had.

"Basketball is the number one sport in our country and we want to give fans reasons to rejoice.

"The situation in the country has been tense for some years now but we know that if we secure our spot for the Rwanda competition, the country can come together to cheer us to victory.

"Whenever we win, everyone is happy, tempers are calmed and there is some sort of solace. That is what we want to do, give our people a reason to give peace a chance," Kouguere pointed out.

The former Inter Club Brazzaville star man who's been an influential figure of "Les Fauves" consistency on the continental scene has remained in top shape hoping to thrill fans at the appointed time.

"I feel good at the moment and I'm training regularly. The goal now is to get a team for the next season but at the back of my mind I know that we have the qualifiers coming up very soon."

The first window of Qualifiers for the 2021 AfroBasket are slated for the November 27-29,  2020.

FIBA