Egypt's Aboushousha recalls Spain 2014 in build-up to World Cup Qualifiers

ALEXANDRIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers) - Egypt forward Youssef Aboushousha has good memories of playing at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014, and he hopes to do everything in his power to help his country qualify for China 2019.

In the build-up to next month's FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, where Egypt will go up against hosts Angola, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the 6ft4in (1.94m) Sporting Alexandria forward insists his country must "be prepared to compete."

"We’ll try to compete and qualify for the world cup for the second time in a row." - Aboushousha

Three years ago, Aboushousha averaged 7.8 points per game although Egypt lost all their five FIBA Basketball World Cup Group Phase games against eventual finalists Serbia, hosts Spain, Iran, Brazil and France. 

Aboushousha is seen here attempting a dunk against Iran in Granada, Spain 2014

"Playing in the world cup is an experience that I would do everything to be part of again," he said to FIBA.basketball.

As part of FIBA's new competition System, Egypt would need to finish in top-three of the four-team qualifier opening in Luanda from November 24-26 in order to secure a place in the second round which will see teams play home-and-away games. The teams that finish bottom of their respective groups will be eliminated.

"We are very excited to get started with the qualifiers," Aboushousha noted. "Hopefully, we’ll be able to advance to the next round and play on home court. We’ll try to compete and qualify for the world cup for the second time in a row. I played in the world cup before, and it’s an experience that I will try to do again."

"We know it will be tough playing those teams, but we’ll try to capitalise from the experience of playing against big African teams."

A month ago, Egypt reached the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Quarter-Finals, but Morocco - a team they will face in the qualifiers - proved too much. 

"We were the youngest team in the tournament, but the most important thing for us is that we continue gaining experience year after year. I am sure the future is ours, and sooner rather later we’ll win the African Cup," Aboushousha offered. 

There are five tickets on offer for African teams for the 32-team FIBA's flagship tournament in China.

FIBA