PFASTATT (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Sitting in third place in Group D has given Central African Republic such confidence and motivation that they believe they can return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. 

None of the current team members was born back then and in the spirit of regaining national pride, Paris-based Johan Roy Grebongo and his teammates see this as an opportunity to return to the helm of African basketball. 

"WE HAVE EVERY CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NEXT ROUND. WE SAW THAT WE WERE PRESENT AND COMPETITIVE IN FEBRUARY BUT WE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM CONCERNING DEFENSE, SOMETHING THAT WE WORK ON AGAIN AND AGAIN." - Grebongo

A spirited comeback to register their only win in the second window against a strong Cote d'Ivoire side in Mozambique was indeed a continuation of a rebuilding process that was on display at the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 in Dakar. 

When the Central Africans return to the Senegalese capital almost a year later after a decent performance, they will be in familiar territory and will look to dispense the hosts, Mozambique as well as the 'Elephants' for a place in the next round.

It is not just about the results on court too. They are also looking at an opportunity to give the young and upcoming players a chance to gain as much experience as possible and this can be seen from the inclusion of the incredible 17-year old Kurt-Curry Wegscheider. 

Kurt-Curry Wegscheider

"With good preparations, we shall be able to continue the process of training from the foundation and giving the young players a taste of international exposure and then follow them in their progress. So that way, we shall be back to the global chain," Grebongo told FIBA.basketball.

The 6ft 7in (2.00m) power forward, who averaged 9.3 points and 9 rebounds per game in the February window in Mozambique, knows that there is a lot of work to be done if they are to harbor any dreams of returning to the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Central African Republic will be hoping that their captain and most dependable player Max Kouguere is fit enough to lead them on this quest for the big stage. Two wins is their focus at the moment and Grebongo believes they can achieve that come June. 

"We have every chance to qualify for the next round. We saw that we were present and competitive in February but we had a major problem concerning defense, something that we work on again and again and we know that it will improve," he said. 

Grebongo believes that every game will be a final for them in Dakar and so they will treat each day as it comes. 

FIBA