Cote d'Ivoire announce experienced preliminary squad for final window

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - As Cote d'Ivoire announced a preliminary squad for this month's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers in their largest city of Abidjan, it became clear head coach Paolo Povia chose experience and consistence over anything else.

The Italian playcaller has kept ten out of twelve players who helped the 'Elephants' claim a 2-1 mark in last September's window 4 of the Qualifiers in Lagos, Nigeria.

From 22-24 February Cote d'Ivoire will face Nigeria, Rwanda and Mali in the second leg of Group F in an attempt to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

Without Charles Abouo - who suffered an injury recently - Povia added veteran Herve Lamizana and Issife Soumahoro. The pair last represented Cote d'Ivoire at the FIBA AfroBasket 2013 held in Abidjan.

Center Frejus Zerbo - who averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds in the First Round of the Qualifiers - is also expected to be added to the group, according to Povia.

Diabate, Edi, Kone, Lamizana, Soumahoro and assistant coach Ismael Ndiaye - all featured at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010  in Turkey. 

Cote d'Ivoire would secure a spot in the 32-nation World Cup as the second-placed team in Group F if they win their last three games and Senegal lose their last three games.

They can also qualify as the best-ranked third-placed team if they win their last three games with a combined margin of at least 65 or 66 points, depending on the number of goals scored (65 if they score over 294 points, 66 points if they score under 294).

It's the second time the West Africa country host a major FIBA tournament since 2013.

FIBA