SEN - Countdown on for Senegal

OUAGADOUGOU (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The clock is winding down for Senegal.

The AfroBasket tips off in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, in just five days, and the Senegalese are putting the finishing touches on the warm-up.

Slowly but surely, the squad coached by Cheick Sarr is rounding into shape and preparing to launch a bid for what everyone in the camp hopes will be a first title on the continent since 1997.

At bare minimum, the Lions wants a podium finish in order to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In Burkina Faso, where Senegal are currently playing in a four nations tournament, the team has beaten Algeria, 65-60, and lost to the Central African Republic, 88-79.

A game against the hosts awaits.

Senegal, meanwhile, will know that if they do achieve a top-three finish and make it to Spain next year, they'll have a talented player will be waiting in the wings.

The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Gorqui Dieng has spoken about playing for Senegal.

A 2.11m tower of power, Dieng played for Rick Pitino at Louisville and helped the Cardinals win the NCAA title this season.

Fans back home wanted Dieng to represent Senegal this summer.

"I've played all year, winning the NCAA with Louisville," he said. "I've had a broken hand. After the draft (June), it was very hard because we were traveling all of the time. I played in the summer league.

"This meant that I couldn't come until the last week of preparations, so it's not good. If I come to the national team, I want to earn my place."

FIBA