What next for Guinea after historic 2023 FIBA U16 African Championship title?

 

CONAKRY (Guinea) - Basketball in Guinea has certainly enjoyed rave reviews following their historical title win at the 2023 FIBA U16 African Championship in Monastir, Tunisia back in July. 

For the first time in the history of the FIBA U16 African Championship, it was neither Egypt nor Mali national anthem that filled the air as the tournament came to a close at the Mohamed Mzali Arena in Monastir, Tunisia.

Guinea did it in style, beating perennial title contender Egypt, not once, but twice, including the final. Mali, another regular title contender, finished third.

Revelation of the Championship, Guinea went from the Group Phase through to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals without dropping any game, finishing the historic title with a flawless 7-0.

In the Final, Egypt came ready to claim the championship and take a revenge over Guinea for a 83-78 loss in the Group Stage, but, once again, it was the West African nation who ruled the decider encounter with an 84-76 triumph.

While Guinea celebrated the historic moment, young Egyptians could not hold back tears of the agony.

Most painful for the five-time U16 African Championship winners was the fact that the defeat did not come from their arch rivals Mali, but a tiny Guinea that had no standing before the championship.

In fact, Guineans were not given any chance to come this far but they surely surprised all to win their first-ever title in any FIBA Africa-organised championship.

In addition to winning the African title, Guinea have qualified to the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.

Guinea's win had heads turning and left many wondering where their confidence came from after the feat in Tunisia. The team returned Conakry treated to a gala by the Guinea government.

The gala was held on July 27, 2023, when the Guinea President Mamadi Doumbouya received the champions of Africa at the Mohammed V Palace. Captain Gassim Savane handed the trophy over to the President by expressing the team's gratitude.

The President of the federation Guinean Basketball Sakoba Keita used the occasion to request for a gym to further develop the discipline.

President Doumbouya congratulated the players and encouraged them to persevere, promising to support the discipline and sports.

As though that was not enough, three players of the team, including the championship MVP Nour Gassim Toure, Mohamed Lamine Toure and Tour Check, were granted student visas to continue their education stateside by the Ambassador of the United States Troy Fitrell.

The task before Guinea now is how to build on the gains of the title win which is a first in the annals of the country.

For the then national team men's head coach Zeljko Zecevic, who has been with Guinea for the past three years, integrating the young players into the senior team after the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, would be the real task to achieve if Guinea must remain a force to be reckoned with.

The Serbian had in the past worked with the national U16, U18 and U20 teams and had seen his players develop into stars, a testament to the growth and development of the game in Guinea.

Zecevic told FIBA.basketball during the FIBA Pre-Olympics Qualifying Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria that his dream was to build a Guinea national team that would compete with the best African teams.

"Guinea is developing in a slow and steady manner. My work with them over the last three years has been satisfactory as Guinea is gaining confidence playing among the best African sides."

He further pointed out that: "There are players in Europe and in America that have shown a desire to play for Guinea. They are players that have come through the ranks and will bring quality to the team. I look forward to that day when Guinea could compete and not just adding to the numbers," he stated with a smile beaming on his face.

Much as Guinea has benefitted from FIBA rankings courtesy of their improved basketball development, working the bulk of the victorious U16 African champions into a strong and formidable side leaves much to be desired.

It was a remarkable moment for Guinea, who had only one Semi-Finals appearance since the inception of the biennial championship in 2009.

FIBA