Experienced Romain Sato determined to drive Central African Republic to World Cup

ABIDJAN (Cote d’Ivoire) - A decade after he last represented the Central African Republic (CAF), Romain Sato is back with "Les Fauves".

At 37 years of age, Sato has set himself what he’s termed the greatest challenge of his life, inspiring his nation to the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification with the tournament billed for China from 31 August – 15 September.

“I'VE HAD A NICE CAREER AND I'M THANKFUL BUT I FEEL THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING IN IT. THIS IS PERHAPS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF MY CAREER. WHEN I HIT THE COURT, I WANT TO GIVE 200 PERCENT”- Romain Sato

The 2011 Italian League MVP, who last played for Spanish outfit Valencia, knows this is a lofty ambition for CAF find themselves in a delicate scenario.

They must win all 3 games by a joint margin of at least 119 or 120 points and yet they come up against a ruthless Nigerian side that’s known no defeat in the qualifiers, Mali and Rwanda in the last round qualifiers.

Yet, Sato remains rather upbeat all is still possible for “Les Fauves”.

“I’m here in Abidjan to spur my team to World Cup qualification. It’s a young team and the lads have done a good job but this is the last round and we’ve got to give our best," Sato said to FIBA.basketball.

He continued: "The experience I’ve acquired across the years is an asset for the squad. There’s a resolve within this team to qualify for the World Cup and that’s very important.

“Across my career I’ve been in some great teams and played some important games so I know what it is when you’re on the big stage. I want to bring my knowledge to the team and hopefully we can get some great result."

The last time the swing man was on the books for “Les Fauves” in 2009 in Libya, he averaged 21.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was named in the tournament’s first team although CAF finished in sixth-place.

Since then Sato has gone on to have a trophy laden career raking the Euroleague in 2011, the EuroCup in 2014 before amassing four Italian leagues, three Italian super cups and lots of silverware.

But the 1.95m (6ft 4) shooting guard admits nothing beats qualifying for the World Cup.

When CAF lastly qualified for the planet’s pinnacle basketball bonanza in 1974, the former Fc Barcelona and Panathinaikos man wasn’t even born.

Team CAF at 2009 FIBA AfroBasket

And with a few years left on his career, the Bimbo native admits this may be his last shot at ever being part of the world rendez-vous.

“I’ve had a nice career and I’m thankful but I feel like there’s something missing in it. Every ambitious player on earth wants be match up the best that’s why this is perhaps the greatest challenge of my career. When I hit the court, I want to give in 200 percent, play like never before, give in my best and leave knowing that I did all I could to help my team to victory," he noted.

Sato was welcomed back with open arms, chants and dancing as this tweet suggests.

“During the previous windows, I realized that the team played well but we weren’t consistent. We have to be constant in our performances and I love what I’ve seen in the group. I know the games will be exciting and we have to play with our hearts to make her compatriots happy and proud. Forty five years after our country first played at the world cup, it will be remarkable for us to return to the tournament. We have some very young players in the team and this will be an incredible experience for them,” Sato concluded.

CAF will open Group F's second leg facing Mali on Friday 22 February. 

FIBA