Chad's Noubaramadji: ''Competing in the African Qualifiers is highly significant for our basketball''

Chad's Noubaramadji: ''Competing in the African Qualifiers is highly significant for our basketball''

•  NDJAMENA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Chad continue relishing the opportunity of playing against Africa's best teams and therefore, a chance of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.
• Although one of the lowest ranked teams among the African Qualifiers contenders, Chadians aren't looking at the numbers, they are focused on their own dreams of transforming basketball in the country.
• WHEN YOU TALK WITH CHADIAN PEOPLE, YOU IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THE PRIDE TO DEFEND OUR LAND. WE ARE ALWAYS PROUD OF OUR FLAG AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE A PLEASURE TO REPRESENT OUR COUNTRY.
• AS LONG AS MY DAY JOB ALLOWS ME, I WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO PLAY FOR MY COUNTRY." - Noubaramadji

• Time and time again, Chad tried to qualify for FIBA AfroBasket 2017, which determined the 16 Africans teams currently fighting for five tickets available for Africa for next year's 32-team World Cup, but for some reason, they failed.
• Despite their two wins against Gabon, Chad missed out direct qualifying for last year's FIBA Africa's prime basketball following two defeats to Cameroon in Zone 4 of the regional qualifiers.
• Then, came the three-team playoff consisting of Chad, Zimbabwe and the Central African Republic to find the replacement of the Republic of Congo for FIBA AfroBasket 2017. Yet, The Central African Republic came up stronger, advancing to the Finals thanks to a 2-0 mark.
• Meanwhile, when they least expected it, Chad got a call from FIBA Africa to replace South Africa who had just pulled out the World Cup African Qualifiers, and they grabbed the opportunity with open arms.

• So much so that, in just two weeks, Chad put together a team, planned a training camp, and traveled to Cameroon to compete against Group A opposition Tunisia, Guinea, and the host nation. 
• What's next for Chad? 
• Chad point guard Asnal Noubaramadji share their story with FIBA.basketball.

Asnal Noubaramadji

"They gave us a second chance one week from the start of the African Qualifiers, and we got ready," he said. 

• "[Competing in the African Qualifiers] is highly significant for our basketball. Now people start caring about us. Our opponents now play hard against us. We gained respect from big basketball countries like Tunisia and Cameroon. Chad is coming. Get ready, folks."