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Transcript/ScriptIntro:
The countdown is on for the Dakar Université Club. The Senegalese club is in the home stretch of its preparation for the Basketball Africa League. Between confidence and determination, the team has big ambitions for this second edition of which it welcomes one of the groups of the preliminary phase. It will be at Dakar Arena from March 5 to 15. Follow this report from Dakar by Wahany Johnson Sambou and Bachir Bodian.
Narration:
It's a team of legendary prestige, but for the Dakar University Club, the BAL remains one of the most exciting challenges. A historic moment that the champions of Senegal do not intend to miss. For their first participation, they are aiming very high.
SOT 1: SOULEYMANE DIATTA, VICE-PRESIDENT OF DAKAR UNIVERSITY CLUB:
"Since the DUC represents Senegalese basketball, we want to do more than the Douane team which stopped, I believe, in the quarter-finals. Since the first phase will be played in Senegal, we will do everything to qualify for the second round and go to the final 8 in Rwanda.
Narration:
But more than the final 8, it is continental glory that shapes the dream of the college players.
Players set themselves no limits and work hard to be ready before the tournament.
Intense work, mentally in top form, they rely on team solidarity to meet the challenge.
SOT 2: ABEL ABDOU RAHMANE DIOP, CAPTAIN OF DAKAR UNIVERSITY CLUB:
“It's our first time and we can't go there with a mindset that isn't positive, first of all. So, you have to use our team spirit a lot to stay positif because we have seen that there are a lot of teams that are more experienced than us. So, it's thanks to our team work that we can achieve our goal in this BAL."
Narration:
A mission that promises to be complicated given the caliber of the other clubs involved in this BAL.
This does not diminish the enthusiasm of the coach who does not underestimate his opponents either.
SOT 3: PERFECT ADJIVON, COACH OF DAKAR UNIVERSITY CLUB:
“We know some teams that played last year like Monastir, Saleh and FAB, but there are also other teams which are the Guinean team and the Rwandan team. They are certainly novices but they made a very good recruitment. We know their teams which are very good, but we play at home, so you have to go there with a lot of enthusiasm. »
Narration:
But the technical staff knows that enthusiasm alone will not be enough, let alone the group crowned champion of Senegal a few months ago.
To survive in this tournament, you absolutely need reinforcements.
SOT 4: MAGUETTE DIOP, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF DAKAR UNIVERSITY CLUB:
“ The base we have is certainly good, but we need to strengthen it to make a good participation in the BAL tournament. If this base is not reinforced, it alone is not enough, we have to strengthen ourselves. And knowing the level of the BAL, we need experienced players to come and support us so that we can perform. »
Narration:
Pending further arrivals, the team has already registered the signing of Ivorian international Abraham Sié. With other Senegalese internationals, they will be the guides of a DUC in search of stars in the illuminated galaxy of African champions.
Wahani Johnson Sambou, for VOA Africa, Dakar.
