Ivory Coast: basketball splintered into factions ahead of the 2023 World Cup

Ivorian basketball has now become a story of rival camps. Six months before the 2023 World Cup, nothing has been resolved between the rebels led by former captain Konaté Stéphane and the Ivorian Basketball Federation (FIBB). On the latest squad lists, the Konaté camp, which according to whispers is being guided from behind the scenes by former team manager Carlo Vieira, was conspicuous by its absence. Were they snubbed by the Federation? Or is it a deliberate show of their discontent over the sidelining of Natxo Lezcano and Carlo? One thing is certain: many now see the hard-fought World Cup place as hanging in the balance.

Big names missing

Matt Costello, Stéphane Konaté, Edi Guy, François Kebe and Nisré Zouzoua did not respond to the call-up from Serbian coach Dejan Prokic for the Ivory Coast national basketball team's next window. So it is clear that the divisions in this fine side continue, a team that qualified for the World Cup with 9 wins from 9 games, before the end of the qualifiers.

Yet neither side seems to see what is happening. At the start of the affair, the players had warned, in a letter dated 9 September 2022, that they would not wear the orange shirt without their two allies. "The staff of Natxo Lezcano, with Carlo Vieira as general manager, deserve to take part in the 2023 basketball World Cup just as much as we players do. We, the two captains of the national basketball team. We are writing this letter to seal a new pact of trust", wrote and signed all the players apart from Souleymane Diabaté, Vafessa Fofana and Charles Abouo.

Since then, nothing has returned to normal. On the contrary, positions have remained entrenched. We even seem to be reaching a point of no return. Dejan Prokic, the interim coach, has now replaced Spaniard Natxo Lezcano, and Carlo Vieira has been kept away from basketball administration for nearly six months.

Federation unyielding

All this turmoil has ended up hardening the Federation's stance towards the striking players. President Mahama Coulibaly hinted, in a diplomatic tone, that the door does remain open, but that he will not give in to the players' shameful blackmail. This is despite the fact that they played a major part in lifting the Elephants to the top of African basketball.

"If it is about bonuses, the FIBB owes not a single franc to either the players or the coaching staff. In no sporting organisation do the players choose the coaches. There is indeed a campaign of denigration and demonisation of the FIBB among the players, orchestrated by Carlo Vieira. Even if some mention a promise by the president to keep Natxo Lezkano, it has to be said that this promise could not override the wishes of the coach himself. Who, since then, has not deigned to answer the FIBB's written request to return to his post", Sport News Africa was told emphatically by a close associate of the president who requested anonymity. Ivorian basketball is therefore heading for a stalemate.

Sanh SEVERIN

Read more on the same subject: Ivory Coast: the Elephants' manager leaves the national team