Yannick Zachee: ''CAF has no choice but to win all three games to ensure a place in China 2019''
LYON (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) – The road to a place in China 2019 for Central African Republic (CAF) may seem far but for Yannick Zachee, nothing is impossible.
The guard who is based in France is not one who wants to admit that the race to next year's FIBA Basketball World Cup is over until the last window in February 2019.
"It’s gonna be really difficult to get our ticket but we still got our chances. We play better day after day. We still can improve our level in offense and defense. And because of that, we believe in our qualification."
"I think Senegal can get their ticket. They will do everything to get a win. So, they are not our main obstacle. For us it’s simple, we need to beat all the teams present in our group.
"Cameroon and Egypt are the main obstacle we are looking at but we can’t get any control of that so we just need to get focused on us and play the best we can in the last window. And it will be in winning those three games."
"THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU CAN HAVE FIVE AFRICAN TEAMS GOING TO THE WORLD CUP. THAT IS HUGE. IT GIVES US MORE CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE AT A MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP."
Zachee told FIBA.basketball that to achieve their set goals, the difference will be in their capacity to control the game.
"We had too many turnovers during the last window in Lagos. If we correct that we’ll have more possessions and more chances to score. We had the game against Mali, but we made a mistake of focusing and it cost us the game. We’ll not make the same mistakes the next time around. We all need to be in shape."
The 6ft3in(1.94m) guard admits that getting all the players they want may be difficult but notes that they would need all hands on deck to make the difference.
"Yes, it’s difficult getting the best players together but this is World Cup qualifications and it’s above everything. Every player in any team knows that. So, it’s more between the players and their clubs to be on the same page. Then our federation will have to prepare our stage in the best conditions they can. That’s all matters."
On the new FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers format, Zachee is full of praises for the initiative taken by the world basketball ruling body.
"This is the first time you can have five African teams going to the World Cup. That is huge. It gives us more chance to participate at a major championship. And this is what every player wants to do, play at the highest level.
"To be amongst the best nations in the world is our target. I expect my teammates to give everything they can on the court, but I already know that is what they did and what they are going to do in the next window."
"FOR ME, IT’S AN HONOUR TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY AND MY FAMILY AND SHOW THE WORLD WHAT IS A CENTRAL AFRICAN. IN WHICH WOODS WE ARE MADE! "WE ARE ‘BAMARAS’ AND I WILL BE PROUD TO SHOW THAT ALL AROUND THE WORLD."
A proud player to represent his country, Zachee says there is so much to play for that giving up does not cross his mind.
"For me, it’s an honour to represent my country and my family and show the world what is a Central African. In which woods we are made!
"We’re ‘Bamaras’and I will be proud to show that all around the world. I recognize the potential and the strength of all the teams, and I’m respectful but I can’t be scared by any team. Because I’m from Central Africa and we fear nobody,” he concluded.
FIBA
