YAOUNDE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - As Cameroon brace for the start of the June-July window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African qualifiers, two home-based players Kevin Ngwese and Simon Bileg II have been appreciating the chance of getting to be part of the Tunis expedition.

Bileg II and Ngwese were the only two local based players who competed during the first window on home court in Yaounde amidst a plethora of star players.

A key man for Nzuimanto of Bangangte, Bileg II finally saw his childhood dream come true when he donned the Cameroon national team jersey and played in front of his family and friends.

"I was lucky to be part of the team and honestly I was just so excited. It was a great experience for me. The other players were cool and the atmosphere was wonderful. They received me well and that helped me settle pretty quickly in the team," he told FIBA.basketball.

Cameroon's Kevin Ngwese

Like Bileg II, Ngwese is always very excited whenever he gets to represent Cameroon. At 35, the veteran power forward has featured for the Lions on a number of occasions - including the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 - but getting to play during the November window was a privilege for him.

"It was a very good thing for me to play the World Cup African Qualifiers. At my age and with the quality of players we have in the local league, I had to work extremely hard to be selected by the coach."

His enthusiasm is justified. Ngwese has come a long way in the past 15 years. He never nurtured plans of becoming a professional basketball player and it was his heroics while playing for his club BEAC of Yaounde that won him the admiration of national team coaches.

"I NEVER BELIEVED I WOULD MAKE IT TO THIS LEVEL AND REPRESENT MY COUNTRY. PLAYING THE WORLD CUP AFRICAN QUALIFIERS IS SIMPLY INCREDIBLE AND I'M HAPPY."Ngwese

"For me, basketball was never really something I cared about until I entered the University. Basketball was just for pleasure and to spend time with friends. It was while for the University of Yaounde that I began training and was selected to compete in the varsity games."

"I went on to sign for Condor winning the championship for two years consecutively. I never believed I will make it to this level and represent my country. Playing the World Cup African Qualifiers is simply incredible and I am happy,"Ngwese said.

Despite playing bit-part roles during the first window, Bileg and Ngwese are hopeful they will be in Tunis for the June-July Window.

Bileg admits only hard work can seal his spot in the team.

"Once you play for the Lions, you always want to be on the team. Cameroon has very good players and I have been working harder than before for me to be there. I have to be on top of my game to remain in the team," he offered.

Cameroon’s coach will have a pool of top players to pick his team from. Ngwese acknowledges to sail through to the next round, all of the country’s top players will have to be available.

"I hope we can have all of our players around. We do have some great players in Europe, USA, and Australia and it will be nice if they are available. We need to make a very strong statement and I am hopeful I will be part of the team. The World Cup is a very important tournament and I am working hard towards that," he concluded.

FIBA