YAOUNDE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Cameroon point guard Robert Ngijol believes that his country has never had a better chance of qualifying for a major basketball event.

Eight years ago, Cameroon qualified for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, but defeats against Croatia and Puerto Rico ended their aspirations to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

They may have returned home with a 0-2 mark, but at the time, a group of talented Cameroonians led by Harding Nana, Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, and Parfait Bitee forced Croatia - who eventually made it to Beijing - and Puerto Ricans to step up their game.

Ngijol feels that his and teammates' turn is just around the corner.

“IT'S A TRUE HONOR AND BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO WEAR THESE COLORS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I GREW UP FAR FROM CAMEROON, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN PART OF ME.                                                                                                                          - Ngijol

It's an experience like the Athens 2008 that keeps Cameroon's new generation hopeful. 

And, with almost a year to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, Cameroon not only look strong to secure one of the five berths on offer for African teams for FIBA's flagship event, but they also feel eager to put their country's name on the international basketball map.

"Securing one of the tickets to the World Cup is number one on our agenda," the 24-year-old said to FIBA.basketball.

Cameroon hold a 4-2 record ahead of next month's first-leg of the Group E of the World Cup African Qualifiers to be held in Rades, Tunisia.

"We are a step closer but we’re focused on working hard for one of the five spots to play in China next year. I can’t wait for the opportunity to prove that we are among the best teams in the world."

From September 14-16, Cameroon will go up against Angola, Egypt, and Morocco.

Although he remains upbeat about Cameroon's chances, Ngijol admits that "attention to detail is important and if we are consistent in doing the little things, we can be even better."

Ngijol has never faced Angola, Egypt or Morocco before, but he feels that "every team that makes it this far is good and the teams we will face have historically successful programs. All the teams in our group are talented but we have what it takes to move on."

"I don’t think our record so far reflects how good of a team we can be. The two losses we’ve had [against Tunisia] were both competitive games that could have easily gone our way. Four wins is a good start though and we look forward to adding to that total," the 6ft3in (1.90m) guard explained. 

Ngijol, who last played for Zlatibor Cajetina in Serbia's topflight, has become a key member of the Cameroonian national team in recent times. 

He went from averaging nine points and two assists during his FIBA AfroBasket debut last year to contribute ten points and almost three assists in six World Cup Qualifiers Games. 

He reflected on his time with the national team so far: "I feel like my game has improved a lot since my first national team selection. There are aspects of the game that only experience at the professional and international level can teach you. I can only become a smarter and stronger player as long as I play on this level.

"It is a true honor and blessing to be able to wear these colors because even though I grew up far from Cameroon, it’s always been a part of me. I have plenty of family living all over the country and I paid special attention to the football team’s successes when I was younger. Playing on the national team has allowed me to reconnect with that part of me and has really been a dream come true."

Cameroon will open their Group E campaign against Angola on Friday, September 14.

FIBA