Bogmis: "We are ready to win home games during Qualifiers"
YAOUNDE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - If Thierry Felix Bogmis has anything to say about it, Cameroon would finish the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers undefeated.
The two reasons why the 25-year-old shooting guard is so confident come from the home court factor as well as the prospect of helping his country qualify to the World Cup for the first time.
Cameroon fans
From Friday to Sunday, Cameroon will host Group A of the Qualifiers against Guinea, Chad and reigning African champions Tunisia.
"PLAYING FOR MY COUNTRY GIVES ME EXTRA MOTIVATION. IT'S A FEELING THAT COMES FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I AM READY TO GIVE EVERYTHING I POSSIBLY CAN. IT WILL BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE TO PLAY ON OUR HOME COURT."Bogmis
And although Bogmis has featured for his country on home soil before - during the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Qualifiers - he insists there is nothing like wearing the Cameroon jersey to fight for a place in the FIBA' flagship event.
"I am always ready to fight for the red-yellow-green flag," he said. "We are aware of the significance of the challenge of playing in Yaounde. That's why we want to send a strong message to our opponents."
Bogmis may not be Cameroon's most famous player, but he has become so influential in recent years that when he steps out on the floor, Cameroon's offense changes for good.
And his 14.5 points per game at AfroBasket last September speak for themselves.
"Playing for my country gives me extra motivation. It's a feeling that comes from the bottom of my heart. I am ready to give everything I possibly can. It will be a great experience to play on our home court."
Although Cameroon destroyed Guinea in the Group Phase of Africa's flagship event two months ago, they faced stiffer opposition from hosts Tunisia.
Yet, Bogmis remains upbeat: "We are not in the World Cup Qualifiers just to make up numbers. Our main target is to win all our games in Yaounde."
If Cameroon finish among the three teams in the four-team tournament, they will advance to the second round of the qualifiers.
Under FIBA's New Competition System, the top three teams from each of the four groups (A, B, C and D) will advance to the decisive 12-team second round. This second stage will see national teams play home-and-away games with the top two teams from each group and the best 3rd-place team booking their places for FIBA's flagship event, taking place from August 31 to September 15, 2019.
FIBA
