ABIDJAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - The dream to compete at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China is still alive for Cote d'Ivoire, according to Souleymane Diabate.

The 30-year old, whose leadership of the Ivorians from the backcourt will come in handy when they face a tall order in the June-July window in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, is confident that they will have a place in the next round for a realistic shot at the world's biggest basketball event. 

"Prior to the Group D's second-leg of the African Qualifiers in Senegal, we shall have good preparations and I think we have what it takes to beat Senegal, Central African Republic, and Mozambique and then qualify for the next round," Diabate told FIBA.basketball.

“WE HAVE TO BE MENTALLY STRONG WE BELIEVE IN OUR TEAM AND WHAT WE CAN DO. EVEN IF WE LOST TO MOZAMBIQUE AND CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN QUALIFY TO THE NEXT ROUND." Diabate

Cote d'Ivoire opened their World Cup qualifying campaign against hosts Mozambique losing 66-53 before recovering to overcome Senegal 67-60 in their second game to improve their win ratio to 1-1.

However, things did not go according to plan in their last tie against a stubborn Central African Republic side as they eventually lost 63-62 after overtime but Diabate is hopeful that the June-July window will be kind to them.

"It was a tough moment for us because we lost to a team that we could beat but it is not over for us. We still have a chance. We can do it. We have to be mentally strong. We believe in our team and what we can do. Even if we lost to Mozambique and Central African Republic, we believe that we can qualify to the next round," the 6ft point guard explained.

"Senegal is supposed to be the best team but we beat them. We were also surprised at how we played. What we know is that for us to qualify for the World Cup, we have to give 100%. Everyone now has a chance so we have to ready ourselves. We cannot underestimate any team because this is basketball."

The Ivorians, who sit in bottom place of Group D, have to finish in the first three places of their group to book a place in the 12-team second-round.

FIBA