Dynamo BBC: Olivier Ndayiragije reveals the keys to historic BAL 2024 qualification
Olivier Ndayiragije explains how Dynamo BBC of Burundi secured their historic place in the 2024 Basketball Africa League
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Olivier Ndayiragije, you have taken Dynamo BBC into the BAL 2024. How did you feel after this achievement?
Olivier Ndayiragije: It was immense joy. I can't find the words to describe that moment. It will stay with me for the rest of my life, anyway.
What was the key to your success?
Olivier Ndayiragije: It's a victory the players went out and earned, giving everything they had. We played a lot of high-level games. They didn't give up despite the fatigue; on the contrary, their desire and determination were faultless. I have to thank the club's directors, who gave us the right conditions, and the supporters who came with us all the way to Johannesburg. All these factors played a very important part in our qualification.
The new signings (King Revolution and Ali Tariq Hameed) you used in Dar es Salam were not selected for the trip to Johannesburg. What was the reason?
Olivier Ndayiragije: The reason is simple. They didn't deliver. We signed them to help us reach another level, but that wasn't the case. We were hoping for players who were very sharp in attack and in defence, but after the competition in Dar es Salam, we realised we had made a mistake. When FIBA gave us the Wild Card, we went looking for their replacements because we knew very well that the Elite 16 was a higher level. That is how we signed Morman Deshaun Lamar and Christophe Obkpa Ewaoche.
Were you satisfied with their performances?
Honestly, yes. Chris was hugely important in defence, where he pulled down a lot of rebounds. As for Morman, he was valuable in his role as point guard. Overall, their contribution to our qualification was very important.
Olivier Ndayiragije: "We are going to strengthen for the BAL 2024"
Do you plan to strengthen the squad again for the challenges ahead, and in which positions?
Yes, of course. We are allowed to sign two more players, but there is still time before we say who will be recruited. We have time, and we will think it over together with our directors to make the right choices. Looking at our squad and the level of the competition awaiting us, we are going to strengthen at positions 4 and 5.
Landry Ndikumana, the Burundian league MVP three years running, is reportedly on your radar?
Landry Ndikumana is a very good player, there is no debate about that. We even contacted him before going to Tanzania for the Road to BAL, but unfortunately for us he chose PAZI. Since he has already turned down our offer and the Burundian players we have are giving us satisfaction, for the moment there is no place for him in our team.
How do you plan to approach the next challenge?
We know we are now among the twelve best teams on the continent. No team has reached this stage of the competition by chance. We have seen the level of some teams, such as City Oilers and Cape Town Tigers, who were with us in Johannesburg. They are very good teams. We will also watch videos of the other teams to get an idea of our potential opponents. We are going to take part in this competition without any inhibitions, and I think our goal of reaching the BK Arena in Kigali will be achieved.
If your goal is not achieved, could we call it a failure?
We are entering a high-level competition. If we lose, we will accept it in a sporting manner. Our goal, I repeat, is to play the playoff games in Kigali, but if we don't make it, I wouldn't say it would be a failure. Of course, we would go home with a feeling of unfinished business.
Désiré Hatungimana