Bangui's teen Kamayengue ready for bigger challenges

 

YAOUNDE (Cameroon) – The Group Phase of the Division West Elite 16 ended on Thursday night but it was not without thrills and frills.

It came to a close with a new kid sensation born on the night. His name is Yasser Kamayengue and he has come to stay.

The 18-year-old Central Africa Republic youngster was the hero of the night for the Bangui Sporting Club as they edged out Ivorian champions ABC Fighters in a game that had all the trappings of a championship encounter.

The 1.80m (5ft 11in) guard is so confident of his ball-handling skills that he takes on the opposition at ease driving through defenses to get to the basket.

When he is not doing that, you see him aiming for the bucket from outside the arc. 

On the night that Bangui SC reigned supreme over the ABC Fighters, Kamayengue was the joker Coach Liz Mills had and he delivered to script to send his teammates and their band of supporters in the stands into a frenzy.

Yasser Kamayengue

Though he is playing at this stage for the first time, he already cut his tooth on the international stage representing his country at the 2023 AfroCan Qualifiers.

This is the first time that Yasser is taking part in this level of the tournament. He told FIBA.basketball that, "It's my first time participating in this tournament and it has allowed me to learn a lot of things from the opponents, my teammates and my coaches to achieve the desired aim."

The player while reacting to questions about his daring taller and heavier players on the court, Kamayengue dismisses the question noting that the challenge they pose boosts him.

"No… no…that's not what can scares me into not expressing myself because people often say it's size that makes the man, and I'm used to playing among the big guys at my young age.

"Bangiu SC is not afraid to face any team, so we must double our efforts for the future. Our confidence comes personally first and then together as a team," Kamayengue noted.

Yasser Kamayengue is seen in action playing for the Central African Republic during a qualifying game for the 2023 FIBA AfroCan

Knowing football as a first sport, Kamayengue reveals he quit the sport early. "I stopped playing football when I was 5 and started playing basketball when I was 6."

On the goals of Bangui SC, Yasser says the club has already made strides by reaching this stage noting that last year they could not achieve it but this year, they are all focused on doing better.

"Bangui Sporting Club has a strong chance of reaching the Final Round of BAL. I am sure that my team will go far when it qualifies from the Elite 16 because I trust my team,” he stated.

Kamayengue and his team, Bangui SC will face Al Ahly Benghazi on Saturday in the first Semi-Final.

FIBA