Cameroon's Nzeulie: ''We have to perform to avoid the 2019 spectre''

DAKAR (Senegal) - It's a disillusion that Jeremy Nzeulie has had to stomach for four years.

Missing out on the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 has been a trauma that the 31-year old has been unable to stomach.

"We were so close to finally getting to the World Cup," Nzeulie tells FIBA.basketball as he rubs his beard reminiscing how the side crashed out off the race to the China event on points.

"We thought we were the chosen generation. It looked so real which is why I just feel terrible every time I think about it."

Nzeulie's angst is understandable as Cameroon had to tussle down the wire with Cote d'Ivoire for Africa's final slot in the global bonanza and with Ivorians closing the African Qualifiers on a high, they cemented their spot for China.

"WE HAVE TO BE ON THE TOP OF OUR GAME ON DEFENSE. IF WE SHOW GREAT INTENSITY AGAINST OUR OPPONENTS, IT WILL BE TOUGH FOR THEM TO PLAY GOOD BASKETBALL."- Jeremy Nzeulie

"We didn't qualify for the World cup because of some minor issues," the Orleans guard in the French top tier (Pro A) mentioned.

"We lost two games to Tunisia by whiskers and in each of those games, it was down to one possession."

"When I think about the Tunisia game in Yaounde, I cringe. Imagine losing that by one point. We never imagined this will come back to our face."

 
This frustration, the former Nanterre and Strasbourg player is channeling into making Cameroon's quest for a maiden qualification at the World Cup a reality.

The "Lions" as Cameroon's team is referred return to action with a drive for a spot in next year's planetary event as the second window of qualifiers in Africa unfolds.

There have been some changes on Cameroon's bench as former French international Sacha Giffa has taken over the leadership of the team, replacing Lazare Adie Ngono.

The former ASVEL and Strasbourg center has brought in a cast of experienced players and some young talents with the hopes of finishing the second window on a high.

"There's still a lot of pain in this team because everyone remembers how we missed out on that world cup spot," Nzeulie mentioned.

"We're fortunate that we have a good coach in Sacha Giffa. He played at the best level and only retired some years ago. He understands African basketball and is helping us improve on several facets of our game."

But beyond just starting the qualifiers on a high, the Dakar tournament is a sort of launchpad for Cameroon, the best way to atone for what Nzeulie describes as a "catastrophic" run at the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket.

The "Lions" lost all three group games to South Sudan, Uganda, and Senegal and were eventually ranked as the worst side in the tournament.

"We know that our fans are sort of disappointed with what we did last year and everyone in the team wants to perform well because what we saw at the AfroBasket is not Cameroon's real level."

But against giants Tunisia whom Cameroon lost to twice during the 2019 African Qualifiers, South Sudan and Rwanda, dominating wouldn't be a walk in the park.

Still, Nzeulie who averaged 12.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during the qualifiers three years ago is undeterred the prerequisite to a clean slate will be keeping their rim safe.

"We have to be on the top of our game on defense. If we show great intensity against our opponents, it will be tough for them to play good basketball."

"We are coming up against very good teams. Tunisia, for example, plays great basketball, they've been together for a very long time but we have the motivation, we're more physical and athletic.

"We have to perform to avoid the 2019 spectre and the good thing is everyone here right now understands what's at stake. The goal in every game is to win."

Cameroon with 18.7 points and Tunisia with 21.1 points were amongst the top three teams that scored the most points per game from turnovers in the African qualifiers in 2019 and the two-time French League champion thinks playing fast transitions can help their cause.

For the third time in five years, Cameroon will face Tunisia in their first outing at the qualifiers in Dakar and the 2015 EuroChallenge victor feels it will go down the wire as Cameroon seeks a first win in three outings against the North Africans in five years.

"We have to control the scoreline. Ideally, we want to be leading the game but even if that doesn't happen, we have to keep a tight leash on them and ensure that the point difference is little. In basketball, anything can happen."

"If we're up, they will end up thinking too much about how to return to the game and make some mistakes which if properly exploited can widen the gap."

Cameroon begin the journey in the African Qualifiers with a cracking fixture against Tunisia on February 25 before facing Rwanda the day after and on February 27, Cameroon will play South Sudan.

FIBA