With new coach, some of Guinea's best talents return for last shot at AfroBasket Qualifiers

CONAKRY (Guinea) - With a new head coach and a number of experienced players on board, Guinea aren't throwing the towel in despite sitting last in Group C of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.

New head coach Zeljko Zecevic has replaced Michel Perrin and the return of some of Guinea's best talents shows how they are trying their last shot at reaching the Final Round of FIBA Africa's premier event later this year in Kigali, Rwanda.

"GUINEA HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN TOUGH SITUATIONS IN THESE TYPE OF COMPETITIONS, BUT THE ESSENCE OF OUR PEOPLE IS TO STRIVE FROM DIFFICULTIES."- Ahmed Doumbia

One of those players making their return is Ahmed Doumbia, who last featured for Guinea during the FIBA Basketball World 2019 African Qualifiers.

The Guineans (0-3) must finish in the top three places of their group in order to secure automatic qualification for the Kigali showdown, but they need to get the better of Group C leaders Cote d'Ivoire (3-0), hosts Cameroon (2-1) and Equatorial Guinea (1-2).

And playing three important games in as many days (February 19-21) must be sound hard, especially when it occurs on a foreign country, but for Doumbia and Co, this is a special occasion.

"We want to bring our flag to the AfroBasket, putting our country on the basketball map. This is my main motivation," the 31-year-old guard revealed to FIBA.basketball.

"It's by wining games that people will talk about us, so we know what we have to do."

Four years ago, Guinea shocked continent powerhouses Senegal in the First Round of Africa Zone 2 Qualifiers series, but only secured their first AfroBasket appearance in 32 years thanks to a wildcard.

Doumbia recalls that his country is used to having their backs against the walls.

"Guinea have always been in tough situations in this these type of competitions, but the essence of our people is to strive from difficulties.

"The team is a brand new one, we are starting from scratch and it's now on us to build something new," Doumbia pointed out, adding how significant this Qualifiers are for Guinea. "We put all the pieces together to inspire the youth of our of country and to try to show them that everything is possible.

"With discipline, will and abnegation we are going to try to bounce back and at least show our basketball identity," Doumbia stressed.

For a man who averaged 7.5 points and 2 assists in the World Cup Qualifiers two years, it's great to be back with the team.

He said: "It's always a honour to represent my country and also to be able to show Africa and the world that we can play ball. Over the last four year my game has evolved a lot, I've become more experienced and improved my skills at different levels but I think that my leadership really took to a whole new level."

Asked about to describe their Group C opponents, Doumbia admitted that they quality teams. "They know each other and have been playing with each other for years now.

"I'm excited and proud to play these teams," he continued.

Guinea will face Cote d'Ivoire in the opener of Group C on Friday, February 19.

FIBA