Can basketball win the hearts of Algerian fans?

ALGIERS (Algeria) - A lot has happened to the Algeria men's national team over the past two decades, but it's the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers that dominates the basketball headlines in the North African country.

From finishing second at the FIBA AfroBasket 2001, which granted Algeria a ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup the following year, to failing qualification to four editions (2007, 2009, 2011 and 2017) of Africa's flagship event over the last 20 years, the Algerians insist that it's time to write a new chapter in their basketball history.

"IF WE START TO COMPETE REGULARLY AT AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND MAJOR TOURNAMENTS I BELIEVE ALGERIAN FANS WILL START TO FOLLOW US MORE OFTEN."- Samir Mekdad

However, the inevitable question is whether or not basketball can win the hearts of Algerian fans.

Samir Mekdad, a 33-year-old guard who has been a key member of the team in recent years, believes they are on the right path to change the course of history.

And surviving a nail-biting FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers two-game series against Cape Verde earlier this year reflects the beginning of Algeria's new journey, Mekdad admitted in an interview with FIBA.basketball. 

"Our mission, as a team, is to put Algerian basketball right on the international map again. We have the players, the coaching staff, we just need some extra support to make things happen," Mekdad said.

Samir Mekdad in action at FIBA AfroBasket 2015

"Those two games against Cape Verde were a real test to our resilience. We are happy that we advanced to the Qualifiers Round, but we also know that there is some work to be done in order to compete against some of Africa's best teams."

The Algerians are drawn against Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda in Group D.

After months of basketball inactivity in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic, head coach Faid Bilal and part of the team opened a training camp in Algiers a week ago.

"Our goal is to qualify for the African Championship. It will be a special moment for us, as a country, to return to the African Championship for the first time since 2015," Mekdad emphasised.

"We are going to need to give our all, and play for our national pride.  

He continued: "Many people don't know but basketball in Algeria is growing. Soccer is still the number one sport in Algeria and the whole country came together last year when we won the African Cup of Nations. It was an inspiring moment.

"But if we start to compete regularly at the African Championship and major tournaments I believe Algerian fans will start to follow us more often.

"At AfroBasket 2015, we had a good number of fans who travelled to watch us play, so that indicates that our fans are right behind us," he pointed out.

Algeria fans at FIBA AfroBasket 2015

A free agent who last played for Rouen in France's PRO-B, Mekdad says he still has a lot of basketball to play, and he admits that he can't wait to join his national teammates.

"Right now, I am France, but I am in regular contact with the team. I couldn't join the national team, but as soon as the lockdown and my professional situation allows me to, I'll make sure to help my country qualify for the AfroBasket. Wearing my national team jersey means a lot to me. 

"I keep telling my national teammates to be ready for the war because Nigeria, Mali and Rwanda are all good basketball teams," Mekdad said.

FIBA