Tunisia held second training camp in Tunis

TUNIS (AfroBasket 2015) – AfroBasket 2015 hosts Tunisia have wrapped up a three-day training camp that was run by national team coach Adel Tlatli.

Looking to bounce back from their early exit from the tournament two years ago in Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia will qualify for a second straight Olympics if they win this summer's tournament, which will be played 19-30 August.

A second- or third-place finish would put Tunisia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

More than anything, Tunisia want to get rid of the lingering bad taste of falling to Egypt and finishing ninth at the AfroBasket in Abidjan.

A trio of veterans - Marouan Kechrid, Radhouane Slimane and Makrem Ben Romdhane - were among the 12 players to take part in the camp (25-27 May) that was just staged at the Palais des Sports El Mensah in Tunis.

This three players had starring roles at AfroBasket 2011 in Madagascar, where Tunisia earned their first ever continental title and also qualified for the Olympics.

The AfroBasket 2011 MVP Salah Mejri, who recently won the Turkish Airlines Euroleague with Real Madrid, was absent from the camp but he is nevertheless looking forward to this summer with the national team.

"We have the potential to at least reach the podium but why not finish first and qualify for the Olympics?" - Mejri

Mejri wants to show that Tunisia are far better than the side that came in a disappointing ninth at  AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan.

Tunisia will play in group A at this summer's tournament against Uganda, Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

Mejri, a 2.17m center, is now focused on Real Madrid's Liga Endesa playoff series with Herbalife Gran Canaria but he has one eye on the AfroBasket.

The other players to take part in the training camp were Omar Abada, Mohamed Abbassi, Hamdi Braa, Youssef Gaddour, Omar Mouhli, Bilel Msakni, Mehdi Oueslati, Heithem Saada and Mehdi Sayeh.

FIBA