Antananarivo (MADAGASCAR) - When Madagascar's rising star Elly Randriamampionona steps on the Kigali arena floor next week it will be with the aim to help his country make history. 

The islanders last featured at FIBA AfroBasket nine years ago.

And in the build-up to the First Round of Group A of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers (November 25-29), the 23-year-old remains as upbeat as ever.

"WE JUST NEED TO REMAIN FOCUSED ON WHAT WE DO AND POSITIVE RESULTS WILL COME."
- Elis Randriamampionona

"This is going to be quite special," Randriamampionona told FIBA.basketball.

He continued: "This makes it more special. I've been there [Kigali Arena] before with GNBC [during the Basketball Africa League Qualifiers]. I'm very excited about going back for the Qualifiers and looking forward to the Final Phase."

Madagascar will go up against African reigning champions Tunisia, Central African Republic and DR Congo in an attempt to secure one of the three tickets for the Final Round next year.

What's Randriamampionona been up to before the Qualifiers next week? "Working hard," he says.   

"It's about our country. We have to work as a team, as close as possible, towards getting to the next FIBA AfroBasket.

"I've been to two [FIBA] youth tournaments before. Since I've turned 20, I've been national champion. I think it's time to level up and get to the biggest tournament."

With previous experience from the Rwandese capital at hand, the 1.86m (6ft1in) forward carries along many hopes. "We want to show that we are on the right track, that Madagascar is a force to be reckoned with."

A younger Elly Randriamampionona featuring at the FIBA U18 African Championship

For the past few weeks, the coaching staff has set up a training program where the team has to build its collective strategy while strengthening the team's core.

And in the midst of it all, GNBC is well represented. 

Alongside Randriamampionona feature Fabrice Constant Mandimbison and Francis Mory, to name a few from the reigning Malagasy champions.

What makes this trip special is that they will be wearing the national outfit. 

Overcoming any of their group opponents would mean getting closer to their goal.

And even if Randriamampionona remains adamant about their chances of grabbing one of the three tickets, he also displays some concern.

"Things will not be easy. We will face Tunisia and DR Congo. The latter has just won the FIBA AfroCan. So we can expect some tough games ahead," he admitted. 

But they will be facing some unknown equations when confronting Central African Republic.

"We haven't heard about them much. We will be treading into the unknown. But that's ok. We're focusing on building our group and living up to the challenge," he noted. 

As the time of getting on the plane for Kigali nears, hopes are high as the Malagasy side go on with their training. But Madagascar doesn't want to rely on luck or hopes.

"We have what it takes to make it to the 2021 AfroBasket. We have been training very hard and it would be a shame if we messed it all. We just need to remain focused on what we do and positive results will come."

FIBA