Cote d'Ivoire v Burkina Faso, Day 7 of the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 26 August, Eight Final Round
OUAGADOUGOU (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Burkina Faso’s international Mamadou "Mike" Savadogo is looking to make a second appearance at FIBA AfroBasket.
And, Brazzaville, the site of this year's FIBA Africa's flagship tournament, is the place to be in August.
OUAGADOUGOU (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Burkina Faso’s international Mamadou "Mike" Savadogo is looking to make a second appearance at FIBA AfroBasket.
And, Brazzaville, the site of this year's FIBA Africa's flagship tournament, is the place to be in August.
"Our aim is to qualify and nothing else." - Savadogo
The widely travelled centre, says missing out of the championship in Tunisia two years ago - after Burkina Faso lost to Nigeria in the Qualifiers - still hurts.
Now he believes that making it to the Final Round in Brazzaville could help healing his disappointment.
The last and only time the Burkinabes appeared at the FIBA AfroBasket was in 2013 when Cote d’ Ivoire hosted the event.
The widely travelled centre, says missing out of the championship in Tunisia two years ago - after Burkina Faso lost to Nigeria in the Qualifiers - still hurts.
Now he believes that making it to the Final Round in Brazzaville could help healing his disappointment.
The last and only time the Burkinabes appeared at the FIBA AfroBasket was in 2013 when Cote d’ Ivoire hosted the event.
“We did our best but we didn’t get far [At AfroBasket in 2013]," Savadogo said.
"We learned a number of things and now look forward to doing a better performance this year. We want to ensure that we qualify for the Final Round and we’re working hard we give a good try."
Though he admits that the task before his country is a tough one, he maintains that with determination they can qualify for the Brazzaville showpiece.
“I admit that it won’t be easy for us but the exposure of our players now gives us a good chance of making it''.
The 38-year-old who averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in his FIBA AfroBasket debut remains upbeat.
"Personally, I have it at the back of my mind to be in Congo for this year’s AfroBasket but it won’t be as a spectator.
"Having played in the Benin Republic, Algeria and Nigeria as well as continental club championships, I have gathered experience which I can bring to help my teammates so that we can achieve our goal of taking our country to her second AfroBasket."
"We learned a number of things and now look forward to doing a better performance this year. We want to ensure that we qualify for the Final Round and we’re working hard we give a good try."
Though he admits that the task before his country is a tough one, he maintains that with determination they can qualify for the Brazzaville showpiece.
“I admit that it won’t be easy for us but the exposure of our players now gives us a good chance of making it''.
The 38-year-old who averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in his FIBA AfroBasket debut remains upbeat.
"Personally, I have it at the back of my mind to be in Congo for this year’s AfroBasket but it won’t be as a spectator.
"Having played in the Benin Republic, Algeria and Nigeria as well as continental club championships, I have gathered experience which I can bring to help my teammates so that we can achieve our goal of taking our country to her second AfroBasket."
Playing against his native Cote d'Ivoire in 2013, Savadogo finished with 10 points but Burkina Faso lost 100-60
Savadogo says that his country also has experienced players that would get the job done.
"The team will not have to depend solely on me as we have four players in France and two in Belgium playing good basketball.
"There are also young players that are preparing to go and make their contribution to the team which for me is a big boost.”
Burkina Faso will have to play a FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Niger and Togo for the only ticket on offer for Brazzaville, but Savadogo doesn't seem to be too bothered about their opponents' potential.
"Our aim is to qualify and nothing else. At the moment, we’re working with Bagounisse Dah as head coach and he shares a strong vision of making it to the AfroBasket finals in Congo.”
Recalling Burkina Faso's elimination to Nigeria two years ago, Savadogo says that they lacked experience at the time. "The situation would be a lot better now given the synergy in his country’s national team.”
Savadogo says that his country also has experienced players that would get the job done.
"The team will not have to depend solely on me as we have four players in France and two in Belgium playing good basketball.
"There are also young players that are preparing to go and make their contribution to the team which for me is a big boost.”
Burkina Faso will have to play a FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Niger and Togo for the only ticket on offer for Brazzaville, but Savadogo doesn't seem to be too bothered about their opponents' potential.
"Our aim is to qualify and nothing else. At the moment, we’re working with Bagounisse Dah as head coach and he shares a strong vision of making it to the AfroBasket finals in Congo.”
Recalling Burkina Faso's elimination to Nigeria two years ago, Savadogo says that they lacked experience at the time. "The situation would be a lot better now given the synergy in his country’s national team.”
By: FIBA.com
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