05/02/2018
Julio Chitunda's African Message
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Can basketball strongholds Mali and Mozambique replicate fans’ enthusiasm for World Cup Qualifiers?

SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - The clock is ticking for the first-leg of Groups B and D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers, and fans can't wait to see their heroes in action. 

From February 23-25, African basketball fans will turn their attention to Mali and Mozambique where eight African teams will join the race for the five tickets available for African nations for the 32-nation FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. 

In Mali's Group B, the host nation play Nigeria, Uganda, and Rwanda, while Mozambique will host Cote d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, and Senegal in Group D. 

For eight other teams - Angola, DR Congo, Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, and Tunisia - the race to China 2019 began in November. 

And although we'll see some of Africa's finest players battling each other on the basketball court, it's in the stands where tireless fans express their passion and celebrate African basketball on their own terms.

Luanda - with a historic 11,000 sellout crowd in a game between Angola against DR Congo - reminded us why Angola is a basketball-loving country.

Local fans also showed up in considerable numbers at Palais Polyvalent des Sports de Yaounde to see Cameroon win two of their three games.

So, can basketball strongholds Mali and Mozambique replicate fans’ enthusiasm for World Cup Qualifiers?

These two countries aren't new to successfully hosting major continental basketball events, and from my own experience, and taking in consideration the importance of the World Cup Qualifiers -, which is the core of FIBA's New Competition System, Mali and Mozambique were not only the right choices to host these first games, but they could put on a show. 

Last year, Mali hosted the FIBA Women's AfroBasket, and although they fell short, the disappointment didn't prevent local fans from dancing, chanting, and more, importantly, celebrate the game of basketball.  

At FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2013, I witnessed first-hand how Mozambique love their national teams (watch the video below). At the time, Mozambique were about to take on Senegal in Group Phase, and the Maxaquene Gymnasium couldn't with demand. 

Although Mozambique men's team has played the All-African Games 2011 as hosts, local fans have yet to see the likes of Helton Ubisse, Baggio Chimonzo, Pio Matos, and co. playing together with national team colors. 

So, the World Cup Qualifiers open a new page in Mozambique's basketball history and Mozambicans will certainly try to make the most of it.

When I asked Mali power forward Boubacar Sidibe to share his experience of representing his country on home soil, he said: "If all our best players come together, we can beat any team in Bamako. It's going to be crazy, I can't wait to see our supporters cheer us on next month."

As I write today's column, most Groups B and D teams have announced their coaching staff, although preparations are yet to be finalized.

Let the battle begin.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.

 

Julio Chitunda

Julio Chitunda

Julio Chitunda, a University of Sheffield alumni and former semi-professional player, has worked for a number of Portuguese media outlets as well as The Press Association and covered international basketball for over a decade. Through his column, he offers an insight into basketball on the world's second biggest continent.