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 Some adjustments to this squad were necessary at the last minute, in particular to replace Chris Sylva Obame (withdrawn due to ankle injury) with Dean Bezazouma and Stolt Engueng Owono (retained by his Club) with Darcy Makambo.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 strategies are being implemented to enhance Gabon’s performance in the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers?
**Interview with Willy Conrad Asséko, President of the Gabonese Basketball Federation**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Asséko. Gabon’s national basketball team is in Dakar for the FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers. Can you tell us about the team’s preparation leading up to this tournament?
**Willy Conrad Asséko:** Thank you for having me. Our preparation has been intensive. We’ve ensured that all logistical, material, and financial conditions are set so that our players can perform at their best. We believe we have created a healthy environment for the team, so they can focus entirely on the games ahead.
**Editor:** The team has a challenging group to compete in, including Cameroon, Senegal, and Rwanda. How do you assess Gabon’s chances in this competition?
**Willy Conrad Asséko:** It is indeed a challenging group, but I believe in our team’s potential. Our coach, Wilfried Dongo, has worked hard to prepare our players, both locally and internationally. We are optimistic about our opening game against Cameroon on November 22. If we work together and maintain our focus, we can achieve great results.
**Editor:** Can you tell us more about the selection process for the team? How did you decide on the twelve players who will compete?
**Willy Conrad Asséko:** The selection process was thorough. Coach Dongo evaluated the performance of each player over the past months, considering both those in the local league and those playing abroad. Ultimately, we decided on a balanced squad of twelve, comprised of six local players and six from international leagues. This mix brings both experience and local understanding of the game dynamics.
**Editor:** What are your expectations from this tournament, and how do you see its importance for Gabonese basketball?
**Willy Conrad Asséko:** This tournament is crucial for us. It’s an opportunity for exposure on a continental level, which can only help our players develop and gain experience. We hope to advance further in the qualifiers, which would boost the stature of basketball in Gabon and inspire young talents back home. We are ambitious, and we aim to make a significant impact.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Asséko. We wish you and the Gabonese team the very best of luck in the qualifiers!
**Willy Conrad Asséko:** Thank you, and we appreciate the support!
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