LUSAKA (Zambia) - Cuthbert Tembo has placed his ducks in a row ahead of the FIBA Africa Zone VI AfroCan Qualifiers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (20-28 February).

Tembo, the Zambia national team coach, says he encountered challenges in trying to assemble his provisional 15-man squad ahead of the AfroCan Qualifiers.

"We do not have a professional league for players in Zambia. Most of our players are in college either abroad or here in Zambia. So they have to make sacrifices to get time off. Despite that, everything else has been fine," said Tembo, speaking to FIBA.basketball.

Cuthbert Tembo

"We have talented players in Zambia and also outside of the country. It was hard to select players, but as a technical team, we had decisions to make, and some players were left disappointed.

"We also have a vision of playing a little differently from previous Qualifiers."

The Zambians, who have previously fallen at the qualifying rounds, will have some experience in their ranks when they head to Zimbabwe.

Tembo will rely on a seasoned veteran like shooting guard Simukwela Lubinda, who has played in the Basketball Africa League Qualifiers for UNZA Pacers (2019) and Matero Magic (2021).

Simukwela Lubinda

Another notable player in the Zambian squad is 24-year-old forward Elijah Mukelabai, who joined the Burundian club Urunani from the Magic. Mukelabai is a type of player that can provide some quality minutes for Zambians.

In terms of size, the Southern African team have two 2.20m (7ft 3in giants) in USA-based Miles Ndalama and Douglas Kandulu, who plays locally for the Matero Magic.

So the duo could provide defence and scoring based on their strengths.

"Out of the fifteen players selected for the national team, eight of them have played in the Basketball Africa League Qualifiers. Players like Simukwela Lubinda, Douglas Kandulu and Miles Ndalama have turned out for Matero Magic in the Qualifiers. So they have a good deal of exposure, so they have experience that we can count on," said Tembo who led UNZA Pacers to the Elite 16 of the BAL Qualifiers in 2019.

In the AfroCan Qualifiers, Zambia will face Mozambique, the likely tournament favourites.

Tembo will fancy their chances against hosts Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi.

"We have faced the teams that are participating in this tournament before. At the country and club level, we have competed against these teams, so we know what to expect, and qualification for this tournament is possible. That is our immediate goal," said Tembo.

"We want to be a perennial contender for these tournaments, but for us to achieve that, we have to start from scrath."

The AfroCan will be a good way for Tembo to measure the ability of the Zambian national team. A maiden qualification for this tournament for local players can give Tembo a solid base for the future.

FIBA