It's all about focus for Senegal

DAKAR (AfroBasket 2015) - Few know better than Senegal ace Maleye Ndoye how serious training camps should be taken ahead of major international competition.

As Senegal prepare to host a four-team international tournament from 9 to 12 August at Marius Ndiaye arena in Dakar, Ndoye, who turns 35 later this month, has urged his fellow Senegalese to get ready for the AfroBasket 2015, which will take place in Tunisia from 19 - 30 August.

The 2.03m sharpshooter, who has not missed out an AfroBasket since 2005, has encouraged his team-mates to get over an alleged unpaid bonuses dispute with the newly elected Federation, and stay focused to win their first continental trophy since 1997.

"Right now, we are focused on the upcoming Dakar tournament as well as the AfroBasket," he said to the local media.

Senegal will host Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and Cape Verde in Dakar, before travelling to Spain to face the hosts, Angola and Poland in Santander from 15 - 16 August.

Although Senegal aim at being crowned winners of Africa, they also know that they need to live up to their title contender credentials.

For Ndoye, who might play his last AfroBasket in Tunisia, focus matters as much as stepping on court to compete.

He feels it's time to move on from a disappointing Semi-Final defeat to Egypt and keep their heads held high.

"Gorgui joined us and, it's nice to have the whole group together because it allows us to get used to our game plan," he recalled.

The group is focused in one goal only, which is why we do not want to talk about non-basketball issues -Ndoye

"We have objectives and we plan to reach them, and I feel that we can get there if everyone is united," he said.

Ndoye knows what he is talking about. After all, he has felt and witnessed the disappointment of five consecutive AfroBasket appearances.

Senegal, who have been awarded a wild card invitation to participate in the tournament, will face Angola, Morocco and Mozambique in Group B.

FIBA