Senegal announce final World Cup roster
DAKAR (Senegal) - The Senegal Basketball Federation (FSB) on Friday announced their final roster for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup set to take place from from August 31 to September 15 in China.
Five players are returning from the squad that took part at the 2014 edition in Spain including Hamady Ndiaye, Mouhammad Faye, Maurice Ndour, Djibril Thiam and Xane Dalmeida.
| Senegal's final roster for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 | |||
| Xane Dalmeida | Moustapha Diop | Mouhammad Faye | Ibrahima Fall Faye |
| Makhtar Gueye | Hamady Ndiaye | Maurice Ndour | Momar Ndoye |
| Youssoupha Ndoye | Lamine Sambe | Djibril Thiam | Babacar Toure |
Among the dependable debutants is Youssoupha Ndoye who played a key role in guiding Senegal through a tough qualification route that saw them playing three windows before they could lock down a spot at the prestigious World Cup.
Averaging 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists, Ndoye will be looking to replicate his performance in the African Qualifiers at the world stage.
The other debutants include Momar Ndoye, Lamine Sambe, Mactar Gueye, Ibrahima Fall Faye, Moustapha Diop and Babacar Toure.
Senegal are fresh from playing four friendly games in Europe, registering one win over Venezuela 75-69 in Verona, Italy but loses to the hosts 111-54 and Russia 73-56 before heading to Istanbul to face Turkey who defeated them 94-59 is a worrying record for the newly installed head coach Moustapha Gaye.
How will Senegal 🇸🇳 fare in the '"group of death"? #SenegalGotGame #FIBAWC @FSBBOFFICIEL https://t.co/atqLlvab4k
— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) June 20, 2019
Ndiaye has been named captain of the side with his leadership expected to create a spark in the squad that started their preparations very late and have ground to make up ahead of the 32-team showpiece event set to start in two weeks' time.
According to FSB, Senegal are scheduled to leave Dakar on Monday headed to China earlier than expected to play three more friendly games as they prepare to better their rather ordinary performance in Europe this week.
Senegal are in a very tough Group H along with Lithuania, Canada and Australia but according to Gaye, their target is to do their very best and to try and better their performance at the last World Cup where they finished 16th.
With an expanded World Cup, it will not be an easy task as they will need to win at least a game in their group to stand a chance of attaining their objective.
FIBA
