Senegal begins this Friday the last phase leading to the World Cup with the 4th window of the African Zone Qualifying which starts this Friday, August 26, in Monastir. The Lions start with the big duel which will oppose it to South Sudan. After a satisfactory preparation under the leadership of the new coach Desagana Diop, the Lions must imperatively impose themselves to maintain chances of qualification after the mixed performances of the 2nd and 3rd windows. A vast mission in front of this considered formation which remains on a faultless with 6 victories in as many matches in the first round.
Considered a few years ago as a dwarf in the African chessboard, South Sudan will be on the menu of the Senegal team which starts this Friday in Monastir the 4th window of the Africa Zone Basketball World Cup qualifiers. Tossed to the four winds and on the verge of elimination during the previous window, the Lions return to the courts with the firm desire to relaunch themselves in the race for qualification. Fifth in the Group F standings after the first round, Senegal, which has meanwhile decided to entrust the reins of its national team to former international Desagana Diop will face a new challenge.
After a satisfactory preparation resulting in two victories against Cape Verde and one that looks like revenge against Egypt, the band at Gorgui Sy Dieng Senegal will have to surpass themselves in front of this opponent whom they managed to outclass during the last afrobasket in Rwanda on the mark of (104-75). Since this competition, the data have positively evolved on the South side. She is probably no longer that African dwarf. The formation shaped by former NBA star Luol Deng is quickly transformed into a winning machine. As proof, his flawless performance (6 wins out of 6, including one ahead of Tunisia, African champions) is an indicator of the level of the South Sudanese. They would be only three wins away from the six games remaining to clinch a historic qualification for their very first World Cup.
The Senegalese selection is reinforced by the returns of Brancou Badio, Lamine Samb and Amar Sylla. The Lions continue this Saturday August 27 (6:30 p.m.) by facing Tunisia, double African champions and whose last defeat dates back to the semi-finals of the Afrobasket played at home in 2015. Senegal completes the 4th window Sunday August 28 at 3:30 p.m. with a duel with Cameroon (1-5). Remember that Group F is made up of three teams from Groups B and D of the first round. All results from the first round were carried over to the second round. So six teams will meet in Monastir to each play three matches. The remaining matches of the 2nd round will be played between February 24 and 26, 2023.
Omar Diaw
