Pitard upbeat about Cameroon's World Cup chances
CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Africa Qualifiers) - Cameroon point guard Gedeon Pitard is confident in his team's chances of advancing to the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers.
As a result of their 2-1 record achieved in the first-leg of Group A of the African Qualifiers last November, the Central Africans currently sit second behind leaders Tunisia and ahead of Chad and Guinea.
In order to be among the 12 teams advancing to the next round, Cameroon must avoid finishing bottom in the group.
"Now we have to go to Tunis and win, no matter what," the 28-year-old told FIBA.basketball.
The second-leg of Group A will take place in the Tunisian capital from June 29 to July 1.
"WE DID GREAT THINGS IN NOVEMBER AND WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT COMING UP SO I'M CONFIDENT FOR THE FUTURE" Pitard
There are five tickets at stake for the 16 African nations bidding to play in the first-ever 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup taking place in China in 2019.
Pitard, who plays for Chalons-Reims in France's top flight PRO A, is adamant Cameroon have sufficient means to ensure a first-ever appearance in FIBA's flagship event.
Gedeon Pitard made his debut with Cameroon at FIBA AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
"We did great things in November and we have a lot of talent coming up so I'm confident for the future," he said. "We have more and more professional players and guys that can play at the very high level.
"Jeremy Nzeulie plays a lot with his club, but he still comes to compete with the national team. Similarly to Kenneth Kadji. Guys love to represent the country and help basketball grow in Cameroon by helping the national team be more and more competitive."
"WE PLAY THE GAME TO EXPERIENCE GREAT MOMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND COMPETITION IN A TOURNAMENT LIKE THIS [WORLD CUP] WOULD BE GREAT" Pitard
"We know that we can make it to the World Cup. We play the game to experience great moments and achievements, and competing in a tournament like this [World Cup] would be great. Thanks to the group of players that we have, we can compete against the best in the continent.
"I believe in hard work and in our team. We can make it to China. We have a positive mindset and we are going to do everything possible to qualify for the World Cup. Representing your country and playing against the best players in the world would be a dream come true."
Reflecting on Cameroon's first three African Qualifiers games, Pitard recalled the significance of home games and the impact that had on the team's identity.
"PLAYING FOR YOUR NATIONAL TEAM IN FRONT OF YOUR FANS IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS AN ATHLETE CAN DREAM OF" Pitard
"The crowd was great and they were all behind us, cheering and rooting us on. I loved it and I am looking forward to experiencing this again soon. You know, playing for your national team in front of your fans is one of the best things an athlete can dream of. That was a unique and magical experience."
As the team that made the most three-point shots in the African Qualifiers (16 against Guinea), Cameroon couldn't be any more confident for the upcoming second-leg of Group A.
FIBA
