KIGALI (Rwanda) - Senegalese Cheikh Sarr was last week confirmed as the head coach of the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket hosts Rwanda, but is he running out of time to rebuild a team that finished 1-5 in the Qualifiers?

The 30th edition of the 16-nation AfroBasket will take place in the Rwandan capital Kigali from August 24 to September 5, and Sarr has become the team's third head coach in the last six months after the departure of Vladimir Bosnjak in November. The Senegalese has replaced interim coach Henry Mwinuka. 

"THIS UNCONDITIONAL TRUST IS DOUBLING MY SELF-MOTIVATION, IT IS PUSHING ME TO GO AN EXTRA MILE FOR THE TEAM. I AM HONORED [FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF COACHING RWANDA]. THE PRESSURE IS THERE, I FEEL IT, BUT, SOMEWAY, IT'S A POSITIVE PRESSURE."
- Cheikh Sarr

And although Sarr has only been officially named the Rwandans' head coach a few days ago, he worked closely with Mwinuka in the second window of the Qualifiers last February in Monastir, Tunisia. 

Rwanda finished 0-3 in November's first round of the Qualifiers held on their backyard after defeats to Nigeria, South Sudan and Mali, but what Sarr saw in Monastir gives him hope of a positive campaign in August.

"The Monastir trip was a good experience and helped me have a better understanding of the team's overall competencies," Sarr told FIBA.basketball.

"I found an energetic, engaging, and disciplined team, displaying respect for the team's rules. The team improved comparatively to the first round in Kigali as they played together."

So, what's the next step? How can Sarr make a difference?

"They need to be able to finish the plays, they need consistency, and have more sense of urgency," Sarr replied.

Very few saw Sarr's appointment coming, but the country's Basketball Federation (FERWABA) was on the lookout.

"This unconditional trust is doubling my self-motivation, it is pushing me to go an extra mile for the team. I am honored [for the opportunity of coaching Rwanda]. The pressure is there, I feel it, but, someway, it's a positive pressure," Sarr revealed. 

Until the national team starts preparations for this year's AfroBasket, Sarr says he is "been working on a plan based on an objective and rational process starting with a tryout, followed by a participation in two or three tournaments to build chemistry.  Of course, we will have to work on all the principles and current basketball trends offensively and defensively. Improve the scouting process during competitions, using all human and material resources available based on basketball specifics."

In recent times, Rwanda, as a whole, has invested in basketball like no other country on the continent, and the country starts to become a basketball hub in Africa.

The Kigali Arena will be home to the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in May 2021 

"What I like the most is that the project is linked to a national vision of giving opportunities to all Rwandans, the opportunity to challenge themselves to lifting their competencies in terms of managing and forming human resources and organizing events," Sarr explained, adding: "It's in this position where FERWABA is standing. Also, the leadership of president [Paul] Kagame like in Senegal, is undoubtedly. He is empowering pan-Africanism using, FIBA, NBA, BAL and various institutions that spread education and sustainable development through Africa."

Sarr's appointment has reignited a topic about Africans coaching other African national teams at major events. Recent history suggests that very few African countries have entrusted their national teams to other fellow Africans at AfroBasket, the continent's flagship basketball tournament.

But there's been some exceptions. Cameroonian Louis Tsoungui coached the Republic of Congo at 2013 AfroBasket, Nigerian Alex Nwora has coached Cape Verde at two editions of AfroBasket (2009 and 2013) and Angolan-Portuguese Mario Palma has powered Tunisia to their second continental title in 2017.

Of his appointment, Sarr said: "This is a huge signal to all African coaches who seek to share their competencies across Africa. The continent has to trust its own human resources. The world is flat and everything is shared instantly. It means the coaching job is dynamic and Africa is growing because you don't need to go overseas to find a competent coach. FIBA regional office Africa (One FIBA) did and keep doing a great job training African coaches. If the Basketball Africa League (BAL) becomes a regular event, African coaches will have more opportunities to work with professional players and will lift their whole competencies."

Louis Tsoungui

Sarr is on a double mission in Rwanda to coach the country's men and women's team.

The Rwandan women's team last played at the continental showpiece in 2011 in Bamako, and is expected to take part in the Qualifiers for this year's Women's AfroBasket. 

In order to help return to the 12-nation event, Sarr has "offered a plan that FERWABA has already validated," he said. "It's based on preparing the local talented players on a daily basis: workout, strength and conditioning. The recruiting process to add value to the team is underway and will be completed by late June," he said.

FIBA