SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - Judging by the current circumstances, Morocco are in a privileged position to secure the only FIBA Africa Zone 1 place on offer for AfroBasket 2015 in Tunisia.

After Algeria, Morocco and Libya faced each other in January, here is why I feel Morocco can make it to FIBA Africa's flagship event. 

In last month's first round of the qualifier, hosts Algeria beat Libya 88-63 before edging out Morocco 81-80 to build a 2-0 advantage. In the game between the visiting teams, Morocco trounced Libya 94-56 for a 1-1 record. 

That means Libya are yet to win a game (0-2).

This week, Algeria, Morocco and Libya pack up to play the qualifier decider from 13 to 15 February in Sale, Morocco.

Libya face the trickiest situation of the three. 

They will need to beat Morocco and Algeria to qualify, and hope that Morocco lose their two games.

Algeria will qualify if they beat Morocco as long as they don't lose to Libya by 25 points or more.

Another reason why I feel that Morocco are favourites to qualify for their ninth consecutive AfroBasket, is the 2-1 head-to-head advantage they had registered with Algeria prior to last month;s games. 

One of those two Morocco wins happened in a 2012 qualifier event, which eliminated Algeria from the African Championship finals.

Algeria received a wild card to participate at AfroBasket 2013 in Cote d’Ivoire and, when they faced Morocco in the Eight-Finals, the latter prevailed, in an 86-81 nerve-racking victory.

The rivalry between these two North African neighbouring countries has become one of the most entertaining to follow in African basketball history.

Looking back in time, we find that Algeria have a history of success on Morocco soil.

I am talking about the 2001 edition of the AfroBasket held in Morocco, where the Algerians finished runners-up to Angola - and qualified for the 2002 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indianapolis - while the hosts finished sixth.

Even though Moroccans show optimistic for the remainder of the qualifier, they know Algerian ace Mohamed Harat could cause some damage.

After all, Harat, who plays for Moroccan side FUS Rabat, stormed the Moroccans with a game-high 28 points and nine rebounds last month.

And he seems focused to keep going.

"The game in Morocco will be very difficult, but we will give everything in our power. The pressure will be on the shoulders of the Moroccans," said the 1.98m forward.

Although the Algerians are tough opponents, Moroccans remain optimistic albeit hesitant. 

The team's point guard Mustapha Khalfi told me: "Of Course we can qualify. I hope. There has been changes in the team. This is a young group of players. It's up to me and five other senior players are to step up."

Morocco head coach Said Bozidi, who replaced Faid Bilal, summed up his team's goals: "For the return tournament it will be a different story, we'll get ready. We will have to instil a higher standard in order qualify [for AfroBasket 2015]."

"[The] 15 February will be a historic day for Moroccan basket," said Morocco Royal Basketball Federation chairman Moustapha Aourache.

With the prospect of qualifying for the continent's flagship competition in Tunisia this summer (19-30 August), Morocco media suggests that former Cameroon head coach Lazare Adingono - currently at the helm of Angolan side Petro de Luanda - is in the line to take the job for the next four years.

I don't see anything going wrong with Morocco, but I can't stop thinking that anything is possible.

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

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