It's all about team rebuilding for new Egypt coach

CAIRO (AfroBasket 2015) - Egypt's newly-appointed head coach, Ahmed Marei, started his AfroBasket 2015 preparations last week in Cairo, working with a group of 15 local based players.

Marei, who replaced Amr Aboul Kheir, then continued his work in Alexandria to work with another group of players, and he is expected to shortlisting the final 15 players later in their AfroBasket preparations.

Although Egypt finished second at AfroBasket 2013 after stunning Tunisia, Cape Verde and Senegal to secure a place in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, coach Marei insists Egypt will not be a title contender in Tunisia 2015.

"Our goal is to rebuild our national team. If we win the African Championship, I will be a very happy man," the 1984 Los Angeles Olympian told FIBA.com.

This year's AfroBasket edition serves as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

There is only one direct berth on offer for African teams, while the teams that finish second and third have a second chance to qualify for the Rio Games by playing the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Still, Marei says it is hard to finish on the podium.

"I met the Federation Board and I was straightforward in my plans. I told them if you want me to win the African Championship, you should choose another coach, not me.

AfroBasket is a tough competition, we will try to win games. - Marei

"I can only promise to rebuild our national team because this is what we need for now to prepare our national future," Marei said.

Egypt last won an African Championship in 1983, and punched a ticked for this year's continental championship after winning the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifier last September.

Marei says he plans to take to Tunisia a team averaging 22 years of age, but will pick a few some experienced players.

Some of those young players include 19-year-old Ehab Amin who plays college basketball for Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Louisville University Anas Mahmoud and Marei's own son Assem Marei.

"I would like to see how Ehab Amin can help us at the guard position," the Sporting Alexandria tactician said.

His son Assem played a crucial role for the Egyptians in the latest edition of AfroBasket.

"I have never coached him. It'll be my first time if he is fit enough," Marei said of coaching his son.

"I am not sure if he will be available for the national team because he was recovering from a leg injury.

"I don't know how our father-son relationship will work out in the national team."

Marei, the son, has not wasted time, telling FIBA.com: "I think there will be great chemistry and communication."

When asked about his Olympic experience, Marei, the coach, said: "We did not win games, but it was great for us as we played good basketball.

"Watching Michael Jordan playing for the USA just after his college career is an experience that I’ll never forget."

Egypt have been drawn in Group C with Cameroon, Gabon and Mali.

FIBA