PRETORIA (South Africa) - Four years ago, Nisre Zouzoua suited up for Côte d’Ivoire for the first time at the AfroBasket tournament.
In his debut at the continental tournament, the rookie guard helped the Elephants advance to the final, but they fell just short against the defending champions, Tunisia.
The loss still haunts him.
"Getting so close and losing is something you don't forget. It's painful,” Zouzoua said. That September evening in 2021 was a defining moment in Zouzoua’s international career. The Ivorian team lost to Tunisia in a heartbreaking 78–75 defeat, but the game showcased their potential.
In hindsight, Zouzoua acknowledges the experience gap between the two teams that day.
“The Tunisian team we faced were the reigning champions. They were a little more prepared for that moment," he said.
Since then, Zouzoua has continued to evolve as a player. At 6'3" (1.91 m), he brings a seasoned presence to the court.
While playing for FUS Rabat in season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Pretoria, South Africa, Zouzoua spoke with FIBA.basketball about the road ahead.
With AfroBasket 2025 set to begin in Angola from August 12 to 24, the anticipation surrounding Côte d’Ivoire is at an all-time high.
"I think it's going to be one of the most competitive and exciting AfroBasket tournaments," he said.
The Elephants enter the tournament as the No. 2 team in the FIBA Africa Rankings and as serious title contenders. With a legacy that includes AfroBasket championships in 1981 and 1985, the squad is hungry to add a third star to its record.
This time, they’re not settling for less.
"That's what we're playing for. We're playing to be champions this time around. Anything less is not going to be satisfactory for us,” he said.
However, the path to glory begins in Group A, where Côte d’Ivoire will face tough competition from Rwanda, Cape Verde, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Each team brings its own mix of talent, grit, and ambition, setting the stage for tightly contested battles right from the group stage.
“My first introduction to Cape Verde basketball was during the BAL when we played Kriol Star for our first seeding game. I also know a couple of guys from the States. I also know some of the players from DR Congo. We have played plenty of friendly games against them,” he recalls.
That familiarity may give Zouzoua and his teammates a slight edge. However, they know there’s no room for complacency.
The qualifiers offered a glimpse of what the Elephants are capable of. They achieved a perfect 6–0 record, with different players shining in each game.
The strength of the roster lies not only in its skill, but also in its unity — players stepping up for each other, sharing the ball, and prioritizing the team. Zouzoua believes that culture will be key if they’re to succeed in Angola.
“It just shows that we're all serious and we all play as a team. If you look at all those games, we have multiple different leading scorers. I think one of the biggest strengths that we have with Cote d'Ivoire is the number of different players that play at a high level and we play like a deep roster. We have all the talent and all the ability to really make a strong run and win it all.”
And beyond the court, wearing the Elephants’ jersey means much more than chasing medals.
“Honestly, it's an extreme honor to be able to put that jersey on, play for Cote d'Ivoire. My dad is from Côte d’Ivoire. So just to see the smiles on his face, making my family proud and just making the country proud is an unbelievable experience.”
That connection fuels Zouzoua’s desire to not only compete, but also to finish what they started in 2021. The countdown to Angola has begun. This time, the Elephants aren’t just aiming for the podium. They’re coming to reclaim the crown.
FIBA