''World Cup Qualifiers bring new dimension to African basketball,'' says Mozambique's Ubisse

BEIRA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Helton Ubisse feels his fellow Mozambicans have a chance to celebrate African basketball when they host the first-leg of Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers later this month.

The four-team Group, which comprises of hosts Mozambique, Senegal, Central African Republic and Cote d'Ivoire, will do battle in the capital of Maputo from February 23-25.

And Ubisse, who has represented his country before on home soil at FIBA U18 Africa Championship 2012, reveals that this is a moment he had been waiting for some time.

"I AM ALWAYS READY TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY. SINCE I WAS A YOUNG BOY, I HAVE ALWAYS DREAM OF PLAYING FOR MY COUNTRY IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.HOPEFULLY, I CAN HELP MOZAMBIQUE QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP." - Ubisse

"It's going to be crazy," he said to FIBA.basketball. "I don't think we are going to feel any pressure because our supporters believe in us and we believe in them."

"Playing the U18 African Championship at home was a unique experience, especially as our fans never stopped cheering on us even though we didn't do that great. As we are a basketball-loving country, I am sure this time our supporters will do everything they can to inspire us," Ubisse said.

At the time, Mozambique finished seventh, while Senegal were crowned African champions.

"I am always ready to represent my country. Since I was a young boy, I have always dreamt of playing for my country in front of my family and friends. Hopefully, I can help Mozambique qualify for the World Cup," he explained.

Rated as one of the brightest talents in modern Mozambique basketball, the 6ft7in (2.01 m) power forward insists that playing the first-leg of the African Qualifiers at home represents a special occasion for Mozambique basketball.

Ubisse won the Top Rebounder award at FIBA U16 Africa Championship 2011 in Alexandria, Egypt

"We are all determined to play well, win as many games as possible at home in order to keep our World Cup ambitions alive. Some may consider us outsiders, but we believe we have a huge chance of proving doubters wrong."

The African Qualifiers marks the first major basketball tournament since the Southern African country hosted the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2013.

"THIS WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION SYSTEM BRINGS A NEW DIMENSION TO AFRICAN BASKETBALL. IN THE PAST, ONLY THE TOP THREE TEAMS AT FIBA AFROBASKET REPRESENTED THE CONTINENT AT THE WORLD CUP, NOW A TEAM LIKE OURS CAN DREAM OF PLAYING AGAINST TOP TEAMS IN THE WORLD.”- Ubisse

Unlike their women's counterpart, Mozambique men's team have never qualified for a World Cup competition.  

Could this be a game-changer moment for Mozambique?

Ubisse has no doubts.

"Yes," he confidently replies. 

At stake in the African Qualifiers are five tickets to reach the first-ever 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup taking place in China from August 31-September 15, 2019.

"This World Cup Qualification system brings a new dimension to African basketball. In the past, only the top three teams at FIBA AfroBasket represented the continent at the World Cup, now a team like ours can dream of playing against top teams in the world. That's motivation enough."

Although Ubisse is only 23 years of age, he has represented his country at the last two editions of the FIBA AfroBasket.

Last September, he led his country with team-highs 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game although Mozambique returned home with a 1-2 mark.

"Senegal are extremely strong, and we are going to stay focused from start to finish when we play them," he said when asked about the prospect of playing the No. 4 team in Africa. "They are not just tall, they can run the floor, and they can shoot from range. We have beaten Cote d'Ivoire at FIBA AfroBasket 2015, and hopefully, we can do it again," he concluded.

FIBA