Team Profile: The Central African Republic (CAR) boasts a storied history in FIBA AfroBasket, combining triumphs and setbacks. With championship titles in 1974 and 1987 and a third-place finish in 1968, CAR's basketball legacy is rich with glory. Yet, the question lingers: can they reclaim that level of success?
Last Updated on
February 20, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
The Central African Republic's (CAR) basketball team has left an indelible mark on the history of FIBA AfroBasket, characterised by a blend of triumphs and setbacks. Their championship titles in 1974 and 1987 and a third-place finish in 1968 underscore the country's rich basketball legacy, woven with threads of glory. Despite facing challenges, CAR has demonstrated resilience and skill on the court, cementing their status as a formidable force in African basketball history.
However, in the last Men's AfroBasket in 2021, the nation encountered unfamiliar territory, finishing 13th out of 16 teams. This decline in performance prompted a period of reflection and reassessment for their federation's technical directors.
Key players in their lineup include Max Kouguere, a star shooting guard from Bangui Sporting Club known for his consistent performance and leadership on the court. Additionally, there’s rising star forward Allan Dokossi, who competes for JDA Dijon in France’s top-tier Betclic Élite and Europe’s Basketball Champions League. Dokossi’s athleticism and scoring abilities were on full display during their country’s 2021 qualifiers.
The team's destiny rests on the shoulders of players like Evans Ganapamo, a talented small forward poised to become CAR's next court leader. Known for his composed and consistent play, Ganapamo will undoubtedly be one of the players to watch closely this week in Cairo.
Leading this group is coach Maurice Beyina, a seasoned veteran who was part of the Central African team that achieved a fifth-place finish at the 2005 AfroBasket. He has been brought in to replace Ulrich Marida, and this will be his first significant test at the helm of Les Fauves.
Despite facing recent setbacks, the CAR team remains resolute and focused. They are no strangers to the AfroBasket, having tasted championship glory in the past. The blend of seasoned veterans like Kouguere with emerging talents like Dokossi reflects a team in transition, eager to reclaim their position among the tournament's elite and vie for more trophies.
Their recent clash with Egypt in the FIBA AfroBasket back in 2021 ended in defeat, a bitter taste for the CAR players. As they prepare for a rematch, the stakes are high, fueled by a burning desire for revenge. The Egyptians may have claimed victory in their last encounter, but CAR is determined to rewrite that narrative.
As the CAR team gears up for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers, there’s a tangible excitement for the intense competition ahead. Their tournament journey, marked by triumphs and challenges, reflects the resilience and unwavering determination deeply rooted in CAR’s basketball culture. With their eyes set firmly on victory, the team is focused on achieving success on the court.
Madagascar, Egypt, and Cote d’Ivoire should brace themselves: the Central Africans mean business. They are determined to secure their ticket to the next FIBA AfroBasket and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.
[Photo Credit: FIBA]
