LUANDA (Angola) - There will be a new champion this year at AfroBasket, as the two-time defending champions, Tunisia, were eliminated in the quarterfinal classification round after losing to Cape Verde on Tuesday.
Fans of the Carthage Eagles will be disappointed at the outcome in Angola, but those in the inner circle of the team understood that a new cycle had to begin.
We must work hard and be patient because we are building towards the future. - Tunisia captain Omar Abada
The time had come when legends like Salah Mejri, Makrem Ben Romdhane, Radhouane Slimane, and Mourad El Mabrouk would either have to hang up their sneakers or make way for the ushering in of a new crop of players at the national team.
The new beginning was painful as Tunisia managed a 1-3 record, which included losing two Group B games to Cameroon (86-65) and Nigeria (87-66). A win over Madagascar (81-60) saw the Tunisia squeeze into the playoffs, but the veteran Cape Verde team’s victory (87-54) showed that a lot of polishing is still needed if Tunisia is to recapture the heights they once achieved.
Omar Abada, a player with two AfroBasket titles (2021 and 2017) to his name, understood this reality going into the tournament.
The 32-year-old floor general, while unhappy with the ending of their tournament, explained to FIBA.Basketball that the national team is beginning a new process and conveyed the need for understanding.
“For sure, we are disappointed, but we are clear that a new generation had to come in. We have eight new players at this AfroBasket. We must work hard and be patient because we are building towards the future. So we should not bury our heads. We have to be patient because we have a long road ahead,” said Abada after the loss to Cape Verde at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda.
Bilel Jaziri, Yacine Touni, Mohamed Fares Ochi, and Wassef Methnani are among the players who have been integrated into the team for this year’s AfroBasket. Abada says the players mentioned, along with the rest of the team, are aware that the journey was not going to be smooth at this AfroBasket.
“The players also know we are in a transition period. They also know this process takes time. Hopefully, we will be ready in a couple of years,” said Abada. “They know what they have to do. They have the talent and it needs time to be nurtured. They know the sacrifices that they need to make for us to do a better job at the next AfroBasket.”
Given their exit from the tournament, Abada says the focus should be on the next competitions and improving their results.
“There are qualifiers coming for the (2027) World Cup. We have to turn the page on the AfroBasket and focus on our next goal. We know where we are, so we have to do better at the World Cup qualifiers,” said Abada.
Despite the changes that took place within the team, Abada says as long as his body allows him and the national selectors see him as part of the team's plans, he will be available.
“I am always ready to represent my country. If I am well physically and the technical staff call me, I will be ready to fight for my country,” said Abada.
While the results did not go as planned, Abada feels the AfroBasket standard on the court is improving. “The tournament is getting better. There are a lot of high-level players and good teams. I think African basketball is going in the right direction,” said Abada.
Change is often hard, but it is also a guided process. But with Abada still committed to helping the Carthage Eagles fly on the court, the hope is that they can reap the rewards of his experience.
FIBA