MLI - Tangara among Mali's 11 for AfroBasket

GRENOBLE (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Four months ago when Mali's men national team was awarded a wildcard invitation to participate at the 2013 AfroBasket, head coach Jose Ruiz could not define objectives because he needed to meet the team first.

Since they started their training camp a couple of weeks ago, in the area of the French city of Grenoble, and against his will, Ruiz has managed to select only 11 players.

Unlike the traditional 12 players, this is the group Ruiz is hoping to take Abidjan, where the tournament will take place from 20 to 31 August.

Among the 11 Malian warriors is Mohamed Tangara who led the team in rebounding at the AfroBasket in Madagascar two years ago.

He has been committed to his national team since first playing for his native country in that tournament.

The 2.09m forward wore the colours of Mali last summer during the Africa zone 2 qualifier tournament played in Cape Verde's capital of city of Praia.

In that competition, Mali finished third behind the host team and Senegal, but FIBA Africa awarded them an invitation along with Rwanda.

"We will do whatever we can to represent our country with pride," Tangara wrote on a social media platform.

The 28-year-old went on: "I am going to do my part whether it is noticed or not."

When the tournament tips off in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Mali will take on Nigeria, Cameroon and Republic of Congo in Group D.

With only 11 players including some who will represent the country for the first time, how can Mali square off against such big opposition?

"This is the group of players with quality to take to the African championship. I am disappointed some players could not join us," Ruiz told FIBA.com

"We are working very hard to reach a good competitive level.

"We must reach a high level of both offense and defense plays in order to play and compete reasonably well in Abidjan.

"Some players missing have professional reasons, but others, simply did not meet the skill level I want," he said.

When they finish their three-week training camp in France, Ruiz and his team are expected to travel to Mali's capital of Bamako on 6 August for the remainder of their preparations before they travel to Dakar, Senegal for a couple of warm games.

This summer's AfroBasket serves as a qualifier tournament for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

If Mali finishes in the top three of the tournament, it secures one of the spots to represent Africa in Spain next year.

FIBA