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30 August, 2014
14 September
Felizardo-Ambrosio-06-06-20
06/06/2014
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ANG - Ambrosio uncertain for Spain 2014

LUANDA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - A few days after being named to Angola's preliminary squad for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Felizardo Ambrosio says he is likely to miss out on the tournament in Spain due to a knee injury.

The 26-year-old, who has been a key defensive player for the African champions, feels he won't recover in time to help his country compete in its fourth consecutive edition of FIBA's flagship competition.

Ambrosio struggled with a knee injury throughout the Angolan BAI Basket league season, during which he helped his club Primeiro D'Agosto finish runners-up to Recreativo do Libolo.

For now, Ambrosio says his health comes first.

"I have applied for an entry visa to Portugal, and once I receive it I'll go there for once and for all undergo the recovery of my knee injury,” he said to the state-owned Jornal de Angola.

"I am already mentally prepared that I will not play at the World Cup. As things stands, it's highly improbable that I would be with the national in Spain."

Ambrosio has not missed an international tournament since he first represented Angola at AfroBasket 2007 held on home soil and went on to become a significant physical presence at both ends of the court.

Last summer, the 2.02m center helped Angola beat Egypt in the Final of AfroBasket 2013 to clinch one of the three qualifying places on offer for African teams for Spain 2014.

Now he is set to skip the biggest world basketball tournament to focus on his future with the national team.

"I am hoping to be fully recovered and get 100 percent ready for AfroBasket 2015 (to be held in Tunisia). I am sure my teammates will do Angolan basketball proud," he added.

National team head coach Paulo Macedo, who also coaches Ambrosio at D'Agosto, told FIBA.com of the blow it would be if Ambrosio does not recover in time for Angola's World Cup preparations, which are due to start on 14 July.

"It would a big loss for us, but we are still waiting for him to notify the (Angolan Basketball) Federation," he said.

"He is a young player with a lot of potential and I am aware of his condition. Should he not be fully recovered, given the importance of our national team, I'll have to pick other players to replace him.

"And I'll be taking the Stankovic Cup as an opportunity to test some players that might help us in circumstances such as the absence of Ambrosio."

At Spain 2014, Angola will play its Group D in Gran Canarias along with Mexico, Lithuania, Slovenia, Australia and Korea.

FIBA