Senegal Centre Youssoupha Ndoye has admitted it’s been difficult playing against Nigeria in recent times. Senegal who used to triumph over Nigeria’s D’Tigers have recently seen their dominance halted by the 2015 Afrobasket champions.
Nigeria have won the last three games between the two, 2015 and 2017 Afrobasket and World Cup Qualifiers played in Lagos last year. The last time Senegal beat Nigeria was in the quarter final of the 2013 Afrobasket Championship at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan.
The next meeting between the pair will be the second leg of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Abidjan next month.
“Lately our games against Nigeria have been tough for us but we learned a lot. They are a real good team and we are looking forward to playing them again in Cote d’Ivoire,” Ndoye told FIBA.basketball
Nigeria, Tunisia and Angola are the three qualified teams for the World Cup with two slots left for Africa.
For Senegal to qualify, they would have to pick one more win or wait for the Ivorians to lose at least one of their last three games if they want to make their second straight World Cup appearance.
Ndoye believes their chances of qualifying for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China is very bright.
“We have a chance to qualify and go to China. Our mindset is going to be the same as the other [qualifying] windows, we are going to try and win all 3 games and go to China.”
“It’s going to be significant not just the players but for the whole country of Senegal to be able to go represent our country for the second time in a row,” Ndoye explained.
The last round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers will take place in Abidjan from February 22-24.
