After beating D ‘Tigers recently during the World Cup African Qualifiers, in a statement published by basketball world governing body, FIBA, Ivory Coast have been rated high above Nigeria, The PUNCH reports.
According to FIBA, beating two heavyweights – Angola and Nigeria – that dominated basketball on the continent of Africa in recent years is a feat like no other, and becoming the first African nation to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup undefeated is a huge achievement for the Elephants.
Months before the start of the World Cup African Qualifiers, the Elephants had already shown signs of rapid progress that could threaten higher-ranked teams in Africa, and when they became the first team beat Angola (57-56) on Angolan soil for the very first time in more than three decades, Ivory Coast’s morale skyrocketed.
Along the way, Ivory Coast beat the likes of Angola, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Guinea, and Uganda.
That historic win in Angola in November 2021 triggered the Ivorians to an unbeaten run, making them the only team in Africa without tasting defeat in 2022.
Speaking on the country’s excellent run, Maxence Dadiet in an interview with FIBA.basketball spoke of makes this Ivory Coast team special
“I think that solidarity and team spirit within the team made the result,” Dadiet said.
“We know each other for long and everybody is going in the same direction. In offense you can’t really know who will get in the zone, and it makes us tough to scout.”
Dadiet who currently plays for Toulouse Basket Club in France’s NM1, added, “Defence was definitely the key of our game plan because we had low field-goals percentage in some games, but defense was always there. That is what made us an undefeated team.”
Dadiet has been fundamental for the Ivorians, averaging 12.1 points and 3.1 assists per game. Those numbers, he says, have been uplifting.
“This (World Cup) ticket means a lot to me. I was injured [at some point] and I couldn’t even imagine to be able to play at an international level. So making it to the World Cup this early in my career is a blessing and I’m already working on that World Cup schedule.”
By qualifying for the World Cup for the second straight time, Ivory Coast have drawn a new chapter in African basketball, considering the difficult positions former African champions Nigeria and Tunisia sit ahead of the final qualifying window in February 2023.
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