Ngwese plotting FAP's path back to BAL's Final 12 

 

YAOUNDE (Cameroon) - Cameroon Forces Armées et Police (FAP) have set lofty targets of making the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Final 12.

The side failed to go past the Group Stage in the Elite 16 during the qualifying tournaments, of the third edition. They finished third in their group that was hosted in Abidjan. This was the first time the team missed out on the BAL Final since the inaugural edition in 2021. 

FAP came up short in the 2022 edition of the Road to BAL in Abidjan

Under the tutelage of Kevin Ngwese, who took over in November 2022 after that disappointing run, FAP are keen to get back to competing at the top. 

As a first assignment, the 40-year-old had to ensure the Cameroonian side won the national league to secure yet another slot to the prestigious African club tournament, a mission he achieved albeit not easily as per his admission. 

"We had about 80% new players in the team for the 2023 season and it was not easy defending the national championship. We finished second in the regular league action and went on to win seven of our nine matches in the three-legged Playoffs (involving the top four finishers in the regular league) to be crowned champions," the former Cameroon international told FIBA.basketball. 

Coach Kevin Ngwese last played for Cameroon during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers 

As he switches his focus on what is his first major assignment on the continental scene, Ngwese, who led FAP to clinch their fourth consecutive local title, maintains that his squad has what it takes to go past the qualification phase to the Final 12 and eventually the Playoffs in Rwanda. 

The tactician, however, admits that he will need to bolster his squad ahead of the tough matches expected during the qualifying phase and well into the Final 12.

"Most of the players left last season and I had to rebuild the team around the few who stuck with us. Three players, Etienne Tametong, Cedric Tsangue and Cyrille Liale have been key to the team's success this season. They are not only part of the national team but have also played in the two BAL Final 12 appearances.

"We also have some young talented players who can change matches for us, despite not having the same experience as the three. With a few additions of some African and international players, we should have a formidable squad as action begins," Ngwese further explained.  

Cyrille Liale Keumoe is seen here in action during the 2022 BAL Quarter-Finals clash against REG

He plans to set up plays according to his available personnel, playing to each player's abilities. While Cameroon has been known to produce defensive teams, Ngwese insists that shooting and speed will be key. 

"Shooting is one of the weaknesses of African teams. During this year's FIBA AfroCan, for instance, none of the 12 teams managed 80 points in all the matches played [Editor's NOTE: Rwanda beat DR Congo 82-73]. We, therefore, have to insist on more shooting, with a fast game and maintain our defensive formations," he opined.

In the inaugural edition that assumed a different format from how the competition is currently being run, largely due to Covid-19 restrictions,  FAP made the Final 12, making it to Rwanda for the action. 

After emerging as the best third-placed finisher in the group stage, FAP went on to fall to eventual winners Zamalek in the Quarter-Final in a 82-53 outcome and finish 7th with the highest statistic (42.0) on rebounds per game. 

Etienne Tametong

The second edition held in 2022, had the Group Phase of the Final 12 played in the Dakar Arena, in Dakar (Sahara Conference)  and the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo (Nile Conference). The Playoffs and Final were played in the Kigali Arena for the second year in a row.

The then François Enyegue-coached FAP were in the Nile Conference, finishing fourth to qualify for the Playoffs in Rwanda. 

The Cameroonians defeated hosts Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 66-63 in the Quarter Final to qualify for the Semi-Final, going down 88-74 to Petro De Luanda in the last four. 

In the third-place Playoff, FAP lost to Zamalek 97-74 to finish in fourth place, an improvement from the seventh-place ranking from the inaugural edition. 

As Ngwese's charges look to make a return to the Elite list of 12 teams and eventually the 8 that play in the Playoffs and fight for the title, the tactician says the first phase of qualification will be crucial as it gives him a picture of what he needs to work on as they advance. 

"I am confident we will qualify for the Elite 16 but the first round of qualification will help us know the level we are in. An evaluation of these matches will show us whether we need to add or change anything," the tactician, who says his experience as a player will come in handy while rallying his charges on, concluded. 

FIBA