FIBA Basketball

    Sakho says winning for DR Congo is bigger than anything else

    The DR Congo are heading to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers aiming to turn a  new chapter in their basketball history.

     

    LUGO (Spain) - They won the inaugural FIBA AfroCan in 2019; they are regarded as a giant in the making in the African basketball scene, but the DR Congo's latest appearances have been marked by ups and downs.

    Although they finished 1-2 in the last African Champions in Kigali last September and failed to move from the Group Phase , the Congolese have achieved some remarkable results in recent years, which included a shocking triumph over  then-reigning African champions Nigeria in 2017 in what was their first AfroBasket appearance in a decade before claiming a Sixth-Place finish.

    "WHAT KEEP US MOTIVATED IS THAT WE ALWAYS COMPETE TO BE AMONG THE BEST TEAMS IN A COMPETITION LIKE THE AFRICAN QUALIFIERS."- Jordan Sakho

    Now, the DR Congo are heading to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers aiming to turn a  new chapter in their basketball history.

    From February 25-27, the Congolese will go up against Group D opponents Senegal, Kenya and Egypt in Dakar.

    "Our mentality as a team is to fight, give our very best, and of course, try to beat those teams," Jordan Sakho told FIBA.basketball.

    Are Sakho's aspirations any realistic?

    "The moment the [DR Congo Basketball] federation and players can find a common ground and pull together, exciting days lie ahead," said Mathias Eckoff, who coached the team until the 2021 AfroBasket after an almost two years at the helm.

    "My sincere hope is that they learn from their lessons, come together and finally claim a position as one of the best nations in basketball, not only in Africa but also in the world," the Norwegian tactician noted.

    Latest news suggest that Frenchman Thomas Drouot, an assistant coach with BC Orleans in France's PRO A, has taken the helm of the team.

    Sakho, who currently plays for Rio Breogan in Spain's ACB League,  insists that team togetherness could be key for a successful DR Congo run in Dakar: "This type of competition requires a lot of physical and mental strength. As a group we always have the same mindset and that's what makes us strong."

    The 2.07m (6ft 10in) center went on saying that "What keep us motivated is that we always compete to be among the best teams in a competition like the African Qualifiers."

    ...

     
    DR Congo are familiar to most of their Group D opponents. 

    The Congolese beat Kenya in the Final of the 2019 FIBA AfroCan; they stunned Egypt in front of a sellout crowd in Cairo during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in the second of the Group Phase, but are yet to face Senegal. 

    "Despite our recent struggles, on and off the court, nothing will prevent us from honouring our national team jersey and bring victory to our country because the joy of winning for our country is bigger than anything else," said Jordan who averaged 11.7 points and 8.7 rebounds at 2021 AfroBasket.

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