ANTIBES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) – Central African Republic captain, Max Kouguere is not one to give up easily on his set goals.

The 31-year old forward who plies his trade with Olympique Antibes in France is of the view that his country is not a push over as far as the chase for the remaining three tickets up for grabs are concerned.

Though, he admits that Senegal is in pole position to pick the second ticket in Group F, he insists that he and his team-mates can turn the tide to get the last spot taking into analysis the chances of the Egypt, Cameroon in Group E and Cote d’ Ivoire in Group F.

"THINGS CAN TURN AROUND AND LOOK DIFFERENT AT THE END OF THE DAY. I BELIEVE THAT CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CAN STILL MAKE IT TO CHINA. DON’T RULE US OUT"- Kouguere

"The last window holds all the aces for a World Cup ticket. Yes. We’re on the same points with Cote d’ Ivoire, we’re looking at picking at least two games to improve our chances," Kouguere pointed out.

Tough as this permutation seems, Kouguere told FIBA.basketball that he is not giving up on the dream of being in China next year for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"As far as I’m concerned, anything can still happen. Though, Senegal have a very strong team and looks good to take the second ticket of the Group F. But things can turn around and look different at the end of the day. I believe that Central African Republic can still make it to China. Don’t rule us out."

Central African Republic stands third on the standings table of Group F with 13 points same as Cote d’ Ivoire, and Kouguere who has played seven games in the African Qualifiers says that he would make himself available for the next window to help the cause of his motherland.

"I will ensure that I make myself available for the next window because my country comes first. My club understands that and as such, I would be ready to go all the way with my colleagues in the team to give our best in our quest for a qualification to China 2019. My only worry is that the time to train together is short and it affects us in our bonding," he noted. 

Nigeria and Tunisia have already punched their tickets in the Second Round of the African Qualifiers in September.

Angola and Senegal need one win each to advance while the best third-placed team joins to make it a total of five teams that would represent Africa at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

FIBA