Africa-Press – Angola. The objectives of the National Basketball Team in the Asia World Cup 2023 must reflect Angola and far from personal or collective issues, all assets must be considered.
Basketball analyst Baptista Moscavide, speaking in Luanda on Monday, defended dialogue between coach, federation and athletes so that the selection reflects a whole, without exclusions for dimmable reasons.
The former practitioner’s analysis follows the absence of athletes such as Carlos Morais, Yanick Moreira and Jone Pedro from the pre-selection, summoned Saturday by coach Pep Clarós, who in his opinion would make all the difference.
He stated that it was a surprise that they were not included among those pre-summoned because they met competitive requirements for this, making it clear that the fact stems from possible misunderstandings mainly in relation to Carlos Morais.
He recalled that the winger had stated in a press interview that he should rethink a possible call to the national team, but now, in a cordial and humble way, he should clarify his availability to the coach.
Morais, captain of Petro de Luanda, 36 years old, has been absent from the national team since the 2021 Afrobasket, played in Rwanda, sometimes for reasons of his own.
The player is one of the best in Angola in the outdoor game, but he was involved in controversy with the FAB management and the national technical team for having been outside the group that evolved in the last qualifying phase.
Baptista Moscavide supports the federative program of national team renewal, since the hiring of the Spanish coach, keeping a small number of more experienced players.
He pointed out as examples, the integration, this time, of Agnaldo Neto, an Under-18 international who evolves at the NBA Africa Academy, in Senegal, Hélder Neto (Paços de Arco) and Danilson Francisco (Electro FC).
As for Group (A) of Angola, made up of the Philippines (hosts), Dominican Republic and Italy, the spokesperson admitted the possibility of qualifying for the other stage of the World Cup due to equal sporting qualities.
He defends a well-prepared and determined Angola throughout the competition and pointed Italy as the most difficult opponent in the initial phase.
The World Championship, to be played from August 25th to September 10th, in Indonesia, Philippines and Japan, will have the participation of 32 teams.
Spain is the defending champion.
Angola has participated in the editions played in Spain (1986), Argentina (1990), Canada (1994), United States of America (2002), Japan (2006), Turkey (2010), Spain (2014) and China (2019).
Summoned:
BASES – Childe Dundão and Gerson Domingos (both from Petro de Luanda) Dimitri Makonda (Sangalho Esporte Clube-Portugal) and Aguinaldo Neto (NBA Africa Academy)
BASE EXTREME – Gerson Gonçalves (Petro de Luanda), Milton Valente (August 1st), Hélder Neto (Paços de Arco) and Danilson Francisco (Electro FC)
EXTREMOS – Leonel Paulo (Sangalhos-Portugal), António Monteiro (Sporting Portugal), Gerónimo Luís (Sangalhos), Eduardo Francisco (Sport Lisboa e Benfica), Wilson Ambrósio (Interclube) and Marco Bala (Zetro Basket)
POSTS – Bruno Fernando (Houston Rockets, NBA), Aboubakar Gakou (Petro de Luanda), Sílvio Sousa (Chorale Roanne-França), João Fernandes (Sporting de Portugal), Jilson Bango (Lowen Braunscheig-Germany), Aldemiro João (Petro de Luanda), Kevin Kokila (JL Bourg Basket-France), Cleusio Castro (Sangalhos Sport Clube) and Teotónio Dó (Petro de Luanda).
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