The African champions are ready to soar in Dakar

TUNIS (Tunisia) - African champions Tunisia have ensured they will be a well-oiled machine when they begin their FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers campaign in Dakar, Senegal, next week (25-27 February).

The Carthage Eagles, who finished second in the Arab Nations Championship - after a 72-69 loss to Lebanon on Wednesday - held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will have built the chemistry needed to have a good shot at making it to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to be held in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

"YES, WE HAVE BEATEN THEM [CAMEROON, SOUTH SUDAN, AND RWANDA], BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD RELAX. WE THIS A NEW CHALLENGE, AND EACH GAME HAS ITS OWN REALITY."- Achref Gannouni

Small forward Achref Gannouni believes the time the national team spent together and competing in the Arab Nations Championship presented the team with an opportunity to plan accordingly.

"We have had several training camps in the last couple of months. At this tournament, we had an opportunity to play together again since the [2021] AfroBasket. It was also a chance for us to work a bit more on our plays," said Gannouni, who plays for Etoile Sportive de Rades in Tunisia.

"The teams and players participating in the tournament (Arab Nations Championship) are exceptional, which will help us get ready for the World Cup qualifiers."

The North African team are in Group B with Cameroon, Rwanda and South Sudan. These teams are familiar to Tunisia, and looking at previous meetings, the Eagles have recorded victories over all three of their group opponents. Gannouni acknowledged their record against all three adversaries but cautioned against resting on their laurels.

"Yes, we have beaten them, but that does not mean we should relax. We see this as a new challenge, and each game has its own reality. I believe that if we produce a great performance in each game and play to our standard, then there will be no surprises in store for us," said the 24-year-old Gannouni.

In the Qualifiers, Tunisia will lean on the experience of trusted campaigners like point guard Omar Abada, versatile forward Makrem Romdhane and possibly star centre Salah Mejri.

"Omar and Makrem will be part of the qualifiers for sure. The participation of Salah is yet to be confirmed, but the players, technical staff and the Tunisian fans would prefer to have him in the team. Having all three players in the squad will help us perform at a high level in Dakar. They have a lot of experience and add a lot of value to the national side," said Gannouni, who added that he has benefited from the guidance of these legends of the Tunisian basketball

"They are not just veteran players. They are currently the best players in Africa in each position. Also, it's pleasant to play next to such players. I received a lot of guidance from them, and they helped with my integration when I joined as a rookie. Playing alongside them helped me to improve at a tactical level. I was also able to perform better under pressure, set high standards, dream big and work hard to achieve my goals."

Gannouni, a member of the Tunisian team that successfully defended their AfroBasket title in Rwanda last year, believes the stakes will always be high for the Eagles as they have built a reputation as a top team on the continent. He also spoke about what it meant to him to win the elite continental competition.

"Being part of the team that won the AfroBasket was a proud moment for me. I achieved a childhood dream. I believe every athlete is always looking to win titles for their country. It was an honour for me to represent my country in the best way," said Gannouni, who spoke about what they want to achieve in Dakar. "Of course, the pressure is there. Looking at what we have achieved makes us want more. We cannot go backwards. We are aware of the responsibility, and we have to keep developing our reputation.

Gannouni also reflected on his journey that saw him come through the Tunisia development ranks. During that time, he also participated in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2015.

Achref Gannouni is seen in action against Canada at the 2015 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 

"Growing through the youth ranks helped me develop my game. It also allowed me to play against players from all over the world and prove myself. Participating in the World Cup was a great experience. I always wanted to compete with the best on a very high level," Gannouni concluded.

FIBA