Sports News Africa Emmanuel Mavomo: You will be leading the DRC national team at the fourth window of 2023 World Cup qualifiers. How did you find the Leopards group,
Emmanuel Mavomo : This new challenge has made me very happy. It is a great honor to lead the DR Congo national team. I found the group prepared to start this fourth windows. My predecessors, who had prepared the players well for previous windows, deserve my thanks. While the game philosophies might not be the same, the foundation work has been done. My staff and me are working together to add two or three floors to the top to enhance the work that has been done.
The group that played the last window at Alexandria is missing three key members: Malela Mutwale as leader, Christian Lutete as full-back, and Jonathan Kasibabu…
The window is not well-placed as many players are looking for clubs for next season. Many players have withdrawn because of that. It’s sad, but basketball has a life and these players had the to prioritize their work, which we clearly understand. It is amazing that Congo has a lot of players who can make up these absences. I’m hopeful that during the next window, we can recover those who were absent today.
FIBAWC is 2⃣ days away! 😄
This weekend, the african qualifiers are for the @FIBAWC will resume and these are the 5⃣ must-watch games! Get ready! 🔥🔥🔥#FIBAWCx #AfroBasket | #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/49q8s6RWlt
— FIBA #AfroBasket (@AfroBasket) June 29, 2022
“Kuminga is the first NBA player to play for the DRC”
While there are some significant team absences, Jonathan Kuminga is still present for the first time with Leopards. Is it possible to have a NBA champion player on your team?
It is always important to have a NBA basketball player. This is the first time in DRC history that a NBA player has agreed. Jonathan Kuminga is an honor and a pleasure to have on the team. He will be a great asset to the team, I believe. Kuminga, the Warriors, and all those who made this possible for us at the DRC, I am grateful.
Did you feel a sense od cohesion in the Congolese team
The atmosphere is always great, whether it’s in the bus or at the restaurant where we have meetings. My predecessors have built something solid. This group is ready to face the formidable enemies we face.
The fourth window will feature South Sudan, Cameroon, and Tunisia as their opponents. Do you expect complex matches?
Each match will be difficult for us. These are three very difficult teams to play, but the DRC is a formidable team. Caesar will get what he deserves. We have a very talented team, very athletic, with lots of resources. Our adversaries are great, we will give them credit where necessary and then each match will have its life and we’ll do our best to defend the colors and country.
Your first match will be against Cameroon in a derby. How do you approach it?
We will approach it with great serenity. Cameroon is a team that I respect. I knew the previous coach; I am familiar with the philosophy of the current coach. We take all our opponents seriously. We must win every game. We have highly competent technical staff and players. We will take each match one after another and give our best to better represent the country.
#RDC: Mr. President, thank you so much for honoring our champions @LeopardsBasketGood luck for the final window of world cup qualification. Proud of you #BendeleEkweyaTe #ChangeNarrative 🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩 https://t.co/yBts3HDxQY pic.twitter.com/L8Jghweuq7
— Patrick Muyaya (@PatrickMuyaya) August 4, 2022
“I am a student of the game”
Did you have a good time in Monastir during preparation? Did you sense determination in your players?
The players are determined. They know what is at stake. Congo is a basketball nation, but we have not been to the World Cup like handball and football. The players want to pay tribute to their basketball-loving family. They want to tell their own story and be the first to qualify for the DRC for the final phase of the World Cup. Players are naturally determined.
In 2017, Papy Kiembe and Charly Buzangu were the last Congolese coaches to be on the Leopards bench. It was also the beginning to revive Congolese men’s basketball at the continental level. We now have a Congolese at the top of the Leopards. Do we feel some pressure after all the foreigners have gone?
I am a student and an avid fan of the game. I respect my elders Charly Buzangu, my late Grandpa Kiembe, and Charly Kiembe with whom I shared a lot before I joined the team. A country boy like me is proud to be able to qualify the national basketball team for the Basketball World Cup. While the task is not easy, I have a great support system. FEBACO is doing its work, but we will wait until August 29 for an initial assessment.
This is not your first time leading Congolese. You were already on Espoir Fukash during the last edition. Can we talk about continuity today on the Leopards bench
It is a great honor for me to represent the country with Espoir Fukash and the national team. Everything I learned from my travels abroad, I proudly give back to my country. My time on the bench with Hope Fukash was a great learning experience. It was because of his performances during the last BALLI was contacted for the Summer League by the Toronto Raptors. I gained a lot of information and I intend to use it to help my nation go as far as I can.
GO @LeopardsBasket 💪🏾 🏀🏀 pic.twitter.com/4jC7Id0Vf6
— DR Congo Basketball (@LeopardsBasket) August 26, 2022
Jonathan MASIALA
Source: sportnewsafrica
