FIBA Basketball

Ona Embo honored to play for DR Congo

KINSHASA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - An international career with France's youth teams is now history for Carl Ona Embo who has accepted an invitation to play for the Democratic Republic of Congo in the upcoming third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers.

Born in Lille, France, to Congolese parents, Ona Embo has built his entire career in Europe and his selection illustrates the Congolese's attempt to bounce back in the second-leg of Group C of the African Qualifiers set to take place in Cairo from June 29 - July 1.

They currently sit last in Group C - which consists of Angola, Morocco and Egypt - and they need to regroup in time and win games in order to keep their World Cup aspirations alive.

A 6ft 2in (1.88m) point guard who at some point in his career caught the attention of NBA scouts, Ona Embo feels he can contribute and spark DR Congo into the 12-team Second Round of the African Qualifiers.

Ona Embo, who currently plays for Nantes Basket in France's PRO B, took time out of his busy agenda to talk to FIBA.basketball.

"Playing for the Democratic Republic of Congo is a great honour to me as I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time," the 28-year-old said.

"I am confident that joining the national team will allow me to have a great experience."

Following an astonishing FIBA AfroBasket 2017 campaign, in which they reached the Quarter-Finals, the Congolese have since self-proclaim a candidate to secure one of the five spots available for African countries for the 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.

"WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO FIGHT FOR BETTER RESULTS AND REACH THE SECOND ROUND OF THE AFRICAN QUALIFIERS."Ona Embo

Asked how he could fit in a team that he has never played for before, Ona Embo remains upbeat.

"If all our best players join the group, we could have one of the best teams on the African continent. It is never easy to integrate a new team. But I have to quickly melt into the group and help the team to the best of my abilities and share my experience."

Even the fact DR Congo currently trail Angola, Morocco and Egypt in the recently-updated FIBA World Rankings presented by Nike, seems to motivate Ona Embo.

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"We lost those three games by small margins. I have watched the games live on the internet, and I must say that the team fought hard. That's a good sign for the future of the team. With the addition of new players in the group, we could change things in our favour and make it to the second round.

"Our opponents in the First Round of the Qualifiers are basketball heavyweights in Africa. We must respect them but we have the obligation to fight for better results and reach the Second Round of the African Qualifiers."

FIBA