SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - Life for a number of Senegal-based players may never be the same again when newly-appointed head coach Porfirio Fisac heads to Dakar next week for the national team’s preparations for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Manila.

Fisac is so keen to discover new talents in the Western African country that he has already warned his assistant coach Stephane Dumas - a former France international - to get ready to work around the clock.

Porfirio Fisac (ESP)

It's been over two months since the Spaniard play-caller was confirmed as the head coach of Senegal. And it's on 6 June that he will be arriving in Dakar for his first contact with players, officials and fans, all keen to hear from the man expected to help Senegal grab one of the three tickets still up for grabs for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

We know it's going to be difficult because we are going to play big teams like Turkey and Canada, two good teams with NBA and Euroleague players. Honestly, we are not going to look at our opponents' names. We care about us and that's the mindset we are going to adapt for the OQT with a view to the AfroBasket the following year. - Dumas

Although Senegal's Basketball Federation teamed up with Fisac to announce a 23-man preliminary squad earlier this month, some key players are yet to confirm their availability but that hasn't prevented Dumas from sharing the team's goals for the OQT, which is due to in Manilas, Philippines, from 5-10 July.

Senegal will go up against Canada and Turkey in Group A and Fisac's crew will need to win at least one Group Phase game to reach the Final Phase. There they would face a Group B side - France, the Philippines or New Zealand - in a Semi-Final. The two Semi-Final winners will play each other with a spot in the Brazil Games at stake.

"The goal is to go to Manila to play one game at a time and chase an opportunity to move further in the competition," Dumas told me. "We know it's going to be difficult because we are going to play big teams like Turkey and Canada - two good teams with NBA and Euroleague players. Honestly, we are not going to look at our opponents' names. We care about us and that's the mindset we are going to adapt for the OQT with a view to the AfroBasket the following year."

Before Fisac and Senegal head to Manila, they will play Tunisia in Tunis. Then they will hold a two-week training camp Valladolid, Spain, for the remaining of their preparations.

When we get to Senegal, Porfirio wants to make sure we don’t miss anyone. - Dumas

"Porfirio doesn't know all players personally, or at least he hasn't seen them all play. We know Senegal is a place that has many talented players. We are going there to see the local clubs, academies. He is highly motivated to see what's going - basketball wise - in the country," Dumas added.

Senegal did make some progress in the past few years, especially after winning two games at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup under former play-caller Cheikh Sarr.

The question now is, can Fisac replicate or improve on Sarr's success?

Judging by Dumas' views of Fisac, he can't be blamed for making things working his way.

By giving home-based players, Fisac will be starting his reign on a positive note.

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

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