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08 - 16
September 2017
Mario PALMA, Jordan Head Coach
25/07/2017
News
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Coach Palma trying to take pressure off Tunisian players ahead of FIBA AfroBasket 2017

TUNIS (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - Former African champions Tunisia couldn't be any more motivated ahead of this year's FIBA AfroBasket in September (8-16). 

After closing the FIBA Africa Zone 1 qualifiers in March undefeated in four games against Algeria and Morocco, the co-hosts of the 2017 edition of the African Championship last week opened their European tour with a win and a defeat against Romania - one of the four EuroBasket 2017 host countries. 

Before they play France on August 5, Spain and Belgium a few days later, coach Mario Palma's side will travel to Portugal (July 26-27) to face the host country on a two-game warm-up series.

"Right now, my priority is trying to take the pressure off the players. We can’t deny that we as a team feel under pressure, but we are motivated for the African Championship." - Palma

As soon as Tunisia were confirmed as the co-hosts of FIBA AfroBasket 2017 early this month, Palma, the four-time African Champion with Angola, knew he needed to build a competitive team.

So he is currently working with the following 14 players:

Tunisia 14-player preliminary squad for FIBA AfroBasket 2017
Omar Abada Mohamed Abassi Makram Ben Romdhane Zied Channufi
Mourad El Mabrouk Bechir Hadidane Mohamed Hadidane  Mokhtar Ghayaza
Jouadi Jawher Nizar Knioua Firas Lahiani Omar Mouhli
Mohamed Adam Rassil Radhouane Slimane    

The North Africans will host FIBA Africa's most important competition for the second straight time after finishing in Third-Place two years ago in Tunis. 

"Two years ago, expectations of winning the African Championship were high, but unfortunately things didn’t work out for Tunisia," Palma said to FIBA.basketball.

At the time, Tunisia outplayed eventual champions Nigeria in the Group Phase, but a Semi-Final 58-51 defeat to Angola ended Tunisia's dream of winning the tournament for the first time since 2011. 

Palma, who knows African basketball better than most, admits that they face a challenge for the ages.

"Now, expectations are even higher because this will be Tunisia's second attempt to win the trophy at home," the Angolan-Portuguese coach admitted.

"Right now, my priority is trying to take the pressure off the players. We can’t deny that we as a team feel under pressure, but we are motivated for the African Championship." 

Arguably two of the most important Tunisian players at FIBA AfroBasket 2015, Michael Roll and Salah Mejri are missing from the 14-player preliminary squad.


Michael Roll averaged 14 points and 3 assists at FIBA AfroBasket 2015

"Michael Roll told me he needs a summer break," Palma explained. "He has had an intense season and needs some rest. Had he played for us it would be an entire year without a break. I felt sorry for his decision because he is a skilled player who could easily contribute 20 to 24 points per game. But as coach, I truly understand his decision.

"We are still waiting to hear from the Dallas Mavericks about Salah’s availability.

"With Michael [Roll] and Salah [Mejri] we would clearly be favourites to win the title. We hope to have Salah with us at some point, and with the players that we have now, we have the obligation of qualify to the Quarter-Finals. There is a number of tough teams at FIBA AfroBasket but we are going to compete to win the trophy. It will be difficult but not impossible," Palma concluded.

Tunisia will open their Group C campaign facing Guinea, Rwanda and Cameroon.

FIBA