The Gabon national basketball team is in the Senegalese capital where it arrived this Tuesday, to participate in the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers, scheduled for August 2025 in Luanda, Angola. According to the president of the Gabonese Basketball Federation (FEGABAB), Willy Conrad Asséko, all the logistical, material and financial conditions are met to ensure a healthy environment around the pennant team and optimal performance of the Panthers who begin the competition from this Friday November 22, 2024 against Cameroon, in Group C.
Gabon’s other opponents in Group C are Senegal (host country) and Rwanda, which the Panthers face respectively this Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24, in these qualifiers, new formula, of the FIBA AfroBasket which are played over a single week -end.
For this campaign, the national coach, Wilfried Dongo, selected and published on Monday a list of twelve (12) players, composed equally of local (6) and expatriate (6) players. Some adjustments to this squad were necessary at the last minute, in particular to replace Chris Sylva Obame (withdrawn due to ankle injury) with Dean Bezazouma and Stolt Engueng Owono (retained by his Club) with Darcy Makambo.
After two months of intensive preparation to sharpen their claws, the objective assigned to the Panthers is not only to represent their country with dignity, but also to achieve a memorable run in these qualifiers and secure a place for the FIBA AfroBasket finals next year. next, in Angola.
As part of the new formula of this competition, the FIBA AfroBasket takes place every four years and includes sixteen (16) national teams divided into four (4) groups of four (4) teams each.
Next year’s edition in Angola will be the 4thth in this country after the FIBA AfroBasket organized in 1989, 1999 and 2007. Tunisia won the last two editions of the tournament in 2017 at home, before lifting its 3th trophy in 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The sixteen (16) teams participating in FIBA AfroBasket, in its new format, qualify for the African qualifiers for the World Cup of the discipline.
Alph’-Willem Eslie
The article FIBA AfroBasket 2025: The Panthers in Dakar appeared first on .
2024-11-19 22:58:00
#FIBA #AfroBasket #Panthers #Dakar
What specific strategies is the Gabonese basketball team implementing to stay competitive against strong opponents in the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers?
**Interview with Willy Conrad Asséko, President of the Gabonese Basketball Federation**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Asséko. The Gabon national basketball team has just arrived in Dakar for the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers. Can you tell us what the team’s focus will be as they prepare for their matches?
**Asséko:** Thank you for having me. Our main focus is to create a supportive and motivating environment for our players. We have ensured that all logistical, material, and financial conditions are in place, which is crucial for their optimal performance. We’re excited to see how our Panthers will stand up against strong teams like Cameroon, Senegal, and Rwanda in this new qualifying format.
**Editor:** Gabon is in a tough Group C with Senegal as the host and Cameroon as the first opponent. What are your thoughts on this challenging schedule?
**Asséko:** Yes, it is a competitive group, but we believe in our team’s ability. Our first match against Cameroon is critical, as it sets the tone for the rest of the qualifiers. We have prepared thoroughly and our players are eager. We see this as an opportunity to showcase our talent on a larger stage.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the coach has selected a balanced team with six local players and six players from abroad. What influenced this selection?
**Asséko:** The selection was based on performance, both locally and internationally. We want to blend experience with emerging local talent. This approach not only strengthens our team but also fosters the development of basketball in Gabon by giving our local players a chance to compete at high levels.
**Editor:** With the qualifiers taking place over a single weekend, how does this compressed schedule affect the team’s strategy?
**Asséko:** The condensed nature of the qualifiers means we need to be strategic and adaptable. Each game will be crucial, and we must manage player fatigue and injuries carefully. Our coaching staff has planned for rotations and different game strategies to ensure we maximize our chances in each match.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message do you have for Gabonese fans as the team competes in these qualifiers?
**Asséko:** I want to thank our fans for their unwavering support. We understand how much this means to them, and we promise to give our all on the court. We hope to make our country proud and look forward to their cheers as we take on these challenges.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Asséko, and best of luck to the Gabon team in the qualifiers!
**Asséko:** Thank you! We appreciate it.