Can FAP shake off the ghost of last year's Road to BAL Elite 16 Qualifiers?
FAP are likely to try everything they possibly can to right that blemish between 31 October to 5 November in front of Cameroon fans at Palais des Sports Yaounde.
YAOUNDE (Cameroon) - After failing to qualify for last season's Basketball Africa League (BAL), Cameroon's Forces Armees et Police (FAP) will have a chip on their shoulder.
One of the four 2022 BAL Season 3 semi-finalists, FAP suffered the ignominy of falling at the group stages of the Road to BAL's Elite 16 last year.
So FAP are likely to try everything they possibly can to right that blemish between 31 October to 5 November in front of Cameroon fans at Palais des Sports Yaounde.
FAP came up short against Bangui Sporting Club in Group B earlier this month
Earlier in the month, in Yaounde, the Cameroon National Police-funded team fought through Group B of the First Round of the Road to BAL.
Now, they are preparing for the Elite 16, the same stage where they finished second behind Bangui Sporting Club.
The Cameroon champions have been drawn in Group A of the West Division Elite 16 alongside Stade Malien (Mali), who finished third in the BAL Season 3, and Libyan super club Al Ahly Benghazi.
Completing the group is the Virunga Basketball Club from the Democratic Republic of Congo who entered the decisive Elite 16 round via the good fortune of the wild card.
FAP represented Cameroon in the firs two editions of the BAL
Can FAP shake off the ghost of last year's Road To BAL Elite 16 Qualifiers?
Home court advantage might be in FAP's favour, and during this qualifying process, they ought to make full use of it.
Their sixth man - the fans - at the Palais de Sport Polyvalent des Yaounde are expected to bring the noise from the stands. And they will raise the roof should FAP qualify for the BAL.
On the court, FAP will not be short of talent in terms of playing personnel. Small forwards Arnold Kome who averaged 17.3 points per game, and Etienne Kalume who contributed 16 points per game during Group B's action, are expected to play pivotal roles for FAP
Cyrille Keumoe
Point guard Cyrille Keumoe was the most efficient FAP player with a 15.3 rating per game. The Cameroonian international player is known for his nifty point guard skills and who knows his way to the basket and can create opportunities for his teammates.
The 31-year-old put together 15.3 points per game and 3.3 assists per game in the first qualifying tournament.
Team coach Kevin Ngwese, who last played for Cameroon during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers, is expected again look for a similar or higher production rate from his trio of veteran players.
FAP have a score to settle and have the talent in their ranks to qualify again for the BAL.
FIBA