Mali, Senegal to battle for place at AfroBasket 2015

BAMAKO (AfroBasket 2015) - Two years ago, Mali needed a wild card invitation to compete at AfroBasket 2013. This year, they hope to earn their place at this summer's continental championship in Tunisia (19-30 August) by overcoming Senegal in a two-game FIBA Africa Zone 2 Group B qualifier.

The first-leg game takes place on Saturday (21 February) at Sports Palace in the Malian capital city of Bamako, with the second-leg to be played in Dakar, Senegal, a week later (28 February).

For Mali, it is all about doing well in front of their fans and maintaining a winning mindset for the return game in Dakar.

Mohamed Tangara is back with the team, and has pledged he'll do everything in his power to play in a third consecutive African Championship.

But he is cautious about Senegal, a team that will show up in Bamako with a squad made up mostly of local players.

"Our goal is to give the best we can," said Mali's captai,n who averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire two years ago, as Mali finished 14th out 16.

Each of us is willing and ready to sacrifice for this victory. - Tangara

Mali played and split (1-1) two preparation games against Algeria last month, and they feel it is about time for the real battle.

The country's basketball federation made some adjustments in the coaching position.

Frenchman Sylvain Lautie replaced Jose Ruiz, who led the team to a 1-4 two years ago.

Lautie is not new to Mali basketball as he guided the country to a 3-5 record at AfroBasket 2005 in Algiers, Algeria.

The new tactician says his team will face a battle of experience against his young team.

It's true that Senegal can cause some serious problems, but we have the potential. - Lautie

"I am convinced that we will come up with a good performance in order to win this game," said Lautie.

"I am proud of the state of mind of the players, and we like the atmosphere within the team.

Senegal head coach Cheikh Sarr, who guided the country to a 2-4 record at 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, says they will aim for a good result.

"If we are to win, we must do it with a big margin," Sarr explained.

"If we lose, we must do so with a small margin. It is up to us to manage and control our game."

From the squad that stunned Croatia and Puerto Rico last summer in Spain, Sarr called up Thierno Ibrahima Niang, Mohamet Diop and Mamadou Ndoye to join Pape Malick Gadiaga, Elhadji Matar Ndao, Ibrahima Mbengue, Abdou Ba, Pape Mor Faye, Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Moise Diame, Birahime Gaye and Adama Lo.

FIBA