DAKAR (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Cote d'Ivoire have beaten Senegal five times in their last six meetings, but the "Elephants" face an uphill task in Dakar later this week.

The Ivoirians' most recent success against Senegal came last February in Maputo, where against all the odds they sealed a 67-60 win to increase their head-to-head advantage to 5-1 over the last decade.

The most frequently asked question now is, can they make it six?

The answer to that question is, Senegal aren't prepared to let their home fans down and to deny Cote d'Ivoire on Friday, they selected some of their most talented players, including Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Gorgui Dieng, who missed out last February's clash.

Dieng has been crucial for Senegal in recent years and could be a difference maker for the hosts.

Senegal will host Cote d'Ivoire, the Central African Republic and Mozambique in their capital city from June 29 - July 1 for the second-leg of Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers.

The hosts currently lead their group with a 2-1 record and head to the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, looking to secure one of the three spots on offer for the 12-second round.

Cote d'Ivoire stunned Senegal 67-60 in the first-leg of  Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Maputo

Meanwhile, beating continent heavyweight Nigeria in one of their two warm-up games over the weekend could certainly boost the Paolo Poivia's men morale, especially with the likes of Souleymane Diabate and Guy Edi performing at such high level. 

FIBA