Cote d'Ivoire call up 27 players for Tunisia 2015

ABIDJAN (AfroBasket 2015) - New Cote d'Ivoire head coach Hugues Occansey has announced a 27-man preliminary squad for the first training camp ahead of AfroBasket 2015.

Ten of the 12 players that featured at AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan will be part of the camp scheduled for 8-19 July in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

The team, which is poised to make its 22nd appearance in Africa's biggest basketball event, will warm up with a pair of friendly games against Mali, on 15 and 17 August at Palais des Sports de Treichville, where the Final Round was staged in 2013.

Two years ago, Cote d’Ivoire finished a disappointing fourth after a 57-56 loss to Senegal in the Third-Place Game.

Among the Ivorians at the camp that will still have a bitter taste in their mouths from 2013 will be Stephan Konate, Frejus Zerbo and Guy Landry Edi.

The aim for Cote d'Ivoire will be to reach the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

A title triumph would allow them to achieve this aim while a second- or third-place finish would clinch a spot in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

AfroBasket 2015 will take place 19-30 August in Nabeul and Tunis, Tunisia.

Champions in 1981 and 1985, Cote d'Ivoire are in Group D with Cape Verde, Algeria and Zimbabwe.

Cote d'Ivoire preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Charles Abouo, Anderson Affi, Joudain Allou, Pape Amagou, Cedric Bah, Zaynoul Bah, Adjehi Nonma Baru, Thomas Blé, Souleyman Diabate, Guy Landry Edi, Vafessa Fofana, Celestin Gbotto, Seydou Hima, Herve Lamizana, Jonathan Kale, Amara Kamate, Stephane Konate, Ahmed Kone, Bazoumana Kone, Mohammed Kone, Moussa Kone, Bryan Pamba, Serge Pohoulou, Issife Soumahoro, Eric Tape, Jean Yves Zahoui and Frejus Zerbo.

FIBA