Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-02-23 02:45:00
The Ankoay of Madagascar during their last training at the Mahamasina sports palace.
The Ankoay of Madagascar senior men will face the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire today in the opening of the first qualifying window for Afrobasket 2025.
Heavyweight. The Ivorian Basketball Federation (FIBB) unveiled yesterday the list of its players, all professionals playing outside the country. Things get serious today for the Ankoay in the quest for qualification to Afrobasket 2025. Madagascar’s flag bearers challenge the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire starting at 5:00 PM, Madagascar time, in the Egyptian capital.
At first glance, the Ivorians are heavily favored based on the list of the twelve players called up. No player playing in Cote d’Ivoire was called up. They are all professional players, with five playing in France, two in Italy, two in Spain, one in Libya, Finland, and Sweden. Ranked 33rd globally by FIBA with 369.9 points and second in Africa behind South Sudan, FIBB fields experienced players like Souleyman Diabate, Maxence Dadiet, Nisre Zouzua.
Cote d’Ivoire has already participated in twenty-five editions of Afrobasket since its first participation in 1968 until 2024 and has already won two continental titles in 1981 and 1985. They have participated in five World Cups and four All-Africa Games.
Anything can happen
Facing the Ivorian armada, the Malagasy Basketball Federation (FMBB) has called up three expatriates from France in the persons of Rija Lahontan, Jerry Pepin Rabibisoa, Sitraka Raharimanantoanina, plus the eight local players, including Jino Tsialefitra from Ascut Toamasina making his international debut.
With the presence of three players accustomed to the high level of world basketball like Elly, Livio, and Arnol, the presence of Jerry and Sitraka with their tall stature of over 2 meters, Madagascar is ready to challenge the Ivorians.
“Cote d’Ivoire is a basketball country. They have professional players who will pose a lot of problems for Madagascar’s Ankoay. But since the ball is round, anything is possible and anything can happen on the court, as long as Elly’s squad makes a successful start to the match and Elly himself finds his shooting accuracy to make the difference,” says Veloson Mamitinana, a supporter of the Ankoay.
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