OUAGADOUGOU (Burkina Faso) - It has been seven years running since Burkina Faso last appeared in the Final Round of the FIBA AfroBasket.

Along the way, they have tried as much as they did to make a comeback. In 2015 the Burkinabe crashed out in the regional FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers. And, early this year, Burkina Faso withdrew from the Pre-Qualifier for next year's FIBA AfroBasket.  

Former national team captain Herve Yameogo believes he owes his country a duty to take them to another continental showcase this time not as a player but as a coach before quitting the game.

"I LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING A ROLE THAT WILL HELP US BETTER THAN OUR 2013 EXPERIENCE."
- Herve Yameogo

Now, 38-year-old Yameogo recalls vividly their appearance in 2013 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan where his team registered a 0-5 mark to finish last in the 16-nation tournament.

The 1.80m (5ft 11in) point guard admits that it was not an experience to be proud of. "Our last appearance was in 2013 in Abidjan and in 2015 we were at the Zone 3 Qualifiers and didn’t make it. It has made me sad and I look forward to redeeming that experience someday soon," he said.

Yameogo told FIBA.basketball that strong competition from neighbouring countries like Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire within Zone 3 have left his country struggling and points out that their players based abroad have not made things any easy for them.

Kader Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)

"There was no challenge to compete against these teams as it was our first participation," he recalled, adding: "We learned a lot and knew that there was still much to be done. We have Burkinabes who play in Europe like Jean Victor Traore, Joris Bado and others in the universities in USA. If we could have them with Yacouba Traore, things would be a lot different.

"Unfortunately, some of our players have failed to identify with the country and reduced our capabilities. Yet, credit must go to the likes of Jean Victor Traore, Joris Bado for their efforts."

Herve Yameogo (Burkina Faso)

As for his hope of being in another Final Round of AfroBasket, Yameogo says: "For basketball to be big in my country, the authorities need to trust basketball like football and give it the right financial assistance. Burkina Faso has the Ouaga 2000 palace which hosted the elimination of the FIBA Africa Champions Clubs and the elimination of FIBA AfroBasket 2012 and can host bigger events with better financing of basketball."

The four-time champions with local side RCK, who currently serves as coach of Burkina Customs, remains upbeat about Burkina Faso's chances of returning to the FIBA AfroBasket Final Round.

"I look forward to playing a role that will help us better than our 2013 experience," he said.

Another worry for Yameogo has been the effect on sports from the coronavirus pandemic which has put sports on the back burner for several months.

"The lockdown, I must say, has affected us more because basketball is a contact sport. We were unable to start the championship early and as of now, the restrictions have eased. It has not been easy for the players and coaches," Yameogo concluded.

 FIBA