The date of August 3, 1997 resists time and time once more within the Senegalese basketball household. Yr of the final continental coronation of the Senegalese males’s crew, 1997 has nonetheless not been erased from the cabinets. Eleven editions later, Aly Ngoné Niang’s gang stays the final to be on the highest step of the rostrum of the African males’s championships. An immense pleasure for the previous chief of the Lions throughout an version with a number of eventualities.
A detailed-knit crew attacking the brand new Angolan ogre
African reference in males’s basketball from 1968 to 1980 with 7 finals in a row, together with 4 received, Senegal is forward on this hierarchy over the subsequent 15 years. “Angola had dominated us within the remaining in 1995 in Algeria and was our most important opponent with Nigeria and Egypt, explains Aly Ngoné Niang, chief of the Lions in 1997, interviewed by Sport Information Africa. She was starting to have a stranglehold on African basketball. Regardless of the defeat within the remaining, we knew their crew and the gamers of Angola effectively. In 1997, we had been decided to finish their reign as a result of we’re at dwelling.. In 1997, continuity was the important thing phrase. The employees led by Bassirou Badji and Ousmane Sarr retains the spine of the group from the 1995 version. Eight of the 12 gamers had been a part of the Algerian journey two years earlier. “Holding the construction of 1995 was important,” says Aly Ngoné Niang. This crew was a household. Even within the difficulties we had been all collectively”he added.
On the identical topic : Basket-Senegal: prognosis of repeated failures
A spirit of solidarity put to the take a look at in the course of the group stage. In entrance of their supporters, the Lions bow in opposition to the D-Tigers of Nigeria. A bitter defeat. “After we misplaced to Nigeria, we had been very upset. On the finish of this match, on the bus to succeed in the lodge, the supporters known as us names. On the lodge, nobody had dinner. The employees did the whole lot however none of us needed to eat. The defeat had caught in our throats”, says the previous chief of Senegal. He pursues : “After we discovered Nigeria within the remaining, we stated to ourselves that this time we aren’t going to let it go. This cup couldn’t escape us. We had a gathering earlier than the match to say that this remaining was the possibility of our lives. We needed to beat Nigeria. We had been overwhelmed. We performed as a bunch, everybody gave themselves physique and soul. That is what allowed us to change into African champions. »
Host the match to regain the throne 17 years later
To reconquer Africa, the Lions of Senegal profit from a political increase. The leaders of the Senegalese Basketball Federation (FSBB) determine to use for the group of the match in Dakar. “We had been coming off a defeat within the remaining of the 1995 Afrobasket in Algeria in opposition to Angola. The leaders, headed by President Ibou Diagne, then got here collectively to win the group of the 1997 version to be able to regain the throne”, remembers Aly Ngoné Niang. A house match and a high quality group of native and expatriate gamers. After a month of intense preparation in Thiès (70 KM from Dakar) with round thirty gamers, the group is fashioned with Aly Ngoné Niang, Oumar Mal, Alassane Ndiaye, Raymond Carvalho, Malick Fall, Vincent Dasylva, Boubacar Aw, Makhtar Ndiaye, Assane Ndiaye, Cheikh Mbacké Diop, Mouhamadou Sow and Cheikh Yaya Dia to win the fifth continental crown.
Nevertheless, the victorious epic of 1997 was not a protracted calm river. Monetary issues invite themselves within the preparation of the teammates of Aly Ngoné Niang. “The difficulties we had on the time had been when leaving for the US for a coaching camp in troublesome situations. As well as, the bonuses had been insignificant. So we went on strike and refused to board with no revaluation of premiums. It was lastly settled and we left for the US.revealed Aly Ngoné Niang.
An indescribable fellowship
Enjoying in entrance of an viewers shouldn’t be at all times a bonus in sport. Fan expectations can generally flip into unfavorable stress. And the Senegalese basketball public shouldn’t be identified for its persistence. What’s extra, ready to finish a 17-year withdrawal. “ The followers had been upset after the defeat in opposition to Nigeria within the group stage, and didn’t fail to tell us, recollects Aly Ngoné Niang. We heard the whole lot that evening after the sport. However we weren’t crushed down on our aspect. We knew it was only a hitch that did not have an effect on our objectives.”confided the one who’s now coach of the lads’s crew of AS Ville de Dakar (D1).
A demanding viewers sure, however among the finest audiences in Africa performed a number one function on this reconquest. “The ambiance was distinctive on the day of the ultimate, says Aly Ngoné. After we left the lodge, it was not possible to enter the Marius Ndiaye stadium which was already packed. There have been nonetheless 1000’s of individuals exterior who needed to return. We cracked up once we noticed that. We puzzled how can we disappoint all these individuals? », remembers the previous enjoying grasp of Senegal. The gang exterior the Marius Ndiaye stadium and the communion contained in the enclosure for the fortunate ones. “Contained in the stadium it was fury, Senegal, Senegal coming down from the bays. We had goosebumps. The match was over within the first half. We had a twenty level lead within the first half. It was an immense pleasure as a result of Senegal remained on 17 lengthy years of famine. Our era was capable of repair this anomaly. The fifth title within the nation”, he boasted, his voice crammed with emotion.
Seventeen years of ready for a coveted fifth continental star. The heroes of 1997 had been capable of measure the scope of their new notoriety inside the populations. “After the ultimate, basketball was on everybody’s lips in Senegal. We had been adored by the individuals. President Abdou Diouf acquired us on the Palace and rewarded us. It was an inordinate pleasure for us. It was grand. Successful the African Cup for his nation, which is furthermore at dwelling in entrance of his household and after 17 years of ready. There’s nothing greater, it was distinctive”recalled Aly Ngoné Niang.
Moustapha M. SADIO
Supply: sportnewsafrica
