BAGHDAD (FIBA Asia Cup 2021) - Mohammed Al-Khafaji played in only 2 games for the Iraq national team at the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, hampered with an injury that kept him out until only recently in January this year. It was hard enough to watch as the team failed to qualify for the second phase of the Asian Qualifiers, but it was even more painful for Al-Khaiji in particular having to watch from the sidelines.

“It was an unpleasant feeling for me not being able to help my country and qualify for the world cup,” expressed the 27-year-old forward.

Iraq were able to start their World Cup Qualifying campaign with a shocking win over powerhouse Iran on their homecourt, 74-66. Al-Khafaji was held scoreless, but his defense and rebounding were key leading up to the upset win. That would unfortunately be the peak of Iraq’s run as they dropped 4 of the last 5 games to be knocked out of the first round.

“In my opinion, all the 24 national teams are very good,” Al-Khafaji says. “I think our match against Qatar was the most important. We were unlucky and we missed some good shots.”

Iraq dropped both of their matches against Qatar, including a heartbreaking 84-79 defeat in the final game which eliminated them out of the first round.

Nonetheless, Iraq has shown great progress to be among the best teams in Asia as evident in their win over Iran early on. Getting a talented forward like Demario Mayfield has certainly helped, as well as the surge of younger players like Al-Khafji himself or 23-year-old Mohammed Abdulqader and 20-year-old Ihab Al-Zahairi. The team is headed in the right direction and maybe all they need is just another soft nudge or two forward.

“We have to sign a great experienced coach for the national team,” Al-Khaji suggests. “And we have to have more camps to prepare and work together as a team.”

A large part of how basketball in Iraq is growing is also because of their growing fanbase. The local Iraqi Basketball Super League (IBSL) has been a hit and that support has pushed everyone in the Iraqi basketball to do even better than ever.

“The last two season in the IBSL, the fans have made a huge impact. For me, honestly, I think what keeps the players, federations, and the game of basketball evolving and thriving are the fans. In Iraq, it is not different. The fans themselves have improved a lot and they helped us improve, too,” Al-Khafaji says.

Personally, Al-Khafaji knows he has area to improve on himself especially coming off an injury. He’s doing well so far in the ISBL in his return, but he knows there’s a lot of work needed to be done before the next competition for the national team.

“I must work on myself a little harder as I have just healed from and injury. I have to focus on my training,” Al-Khafaji says with determination. “I have to develop my jump shot a little more and to work a lot on my inside game.”

Al-Khafaji has gradually improved year to year and put up an impressive 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017. If he can continue his upwards development trajectory, he will be a force to be reckoned with when the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers commence later this year.

“Every Asian baller’s ambition is for his own country to succeed in the Asian Cup,” says Al-Khafaji. “I will be thankful when we pass through the Qualifiers.”

FIBA