Coach Doh Kone is steadily building a reputation as a skilled and reputable manager in Ivorian basketball. Initially appointed as an assistant coach for Cote d’Ivoire’s main team in 2022 under Coach Dejan Prokic, Kone’s career trajectory has been marked by significant achievements and promising potential.
Currently, he is at the helm of the Treichville Sports Club (CSA-Treichville), a team comprising 90% young players. His foundational work began at the club’s training center, AWANE, where he oversaw all categories, honing his coaching skills and nurturing young talent.
Kone’s leadership was prominently displayed at the 2023 FIBA AfroCan held in Angola, where he guided Cote d’Ivoire to a silver medal, narrowly losing to Morocco 78-76 in the final. This accomplishment underscored his ability to lead and inspire his team to perform at the highest levels.
Now, as Cote d’Ivoire prepares for the FIBA Africa U18 Championship in South Africa this August, Kone faces a new challenge: securing a qualification ticket at the Zone 3 Qualifiers on home soil from July 29 to August 4, 2024. The Ivorians have been absent from the championship’s Final Round since 2016, and Kone is determined to change that.
Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Kone expressed his enthusiasm and confidence. “It’s very exciting for me to be at the head of this team. I have acquired experience by occupying respectively the positions of Assistant Coach of seniors at the World Cup and Head Coach of the AfroCan.
And I think it’s because of this experience that the federation trusted the AfroCan staff in us returning with the U18s. This is a big challenge and we are working hard to be at the height of the task entrusted to us.”
Kone’s motivation extends beyond professional aspirations. Reflecting on his own missed opportunity to play at this level during his career, he is driven to lead his team to success and secure a place in the Final Round.
“I think the task is difficult as the level of the U18s in our country currently is average but although competition at this level now is very high as more and more U18s are evolving professionally and even already with their first national teams, we’re working round the clock to be ready,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, Kone is optimistic. The Ivorians’ return to the U18 championship since their 8th place finish in 2016 is a significant milestone, and Kone acknowledges the federation’s ambition and support.
“Before the Baccalaureate exams we had a problem with player irregularities but from June 24 (after the BAC), the work continued with the entire workforce. We have also received players from outside and the training camp is currently going very well except that the small difficulty is that they come one after the other,” he noted.
The Cote d’Ivoire Basketball Federation has bolstered the team’s efforts by providing additional technical assistance. Coach Miguel Oyo, Assistant Coach of the A team, has been brought in to support Kone and his team.
“The federation also saw it fit to bring in Coach Miguel Oyo, Assistant Coach of the A team, to help us. He came to work with us for a week and will return the day before the playoffs. Otherwise, the training camp continues every day at the Treichville Sports Palace in good conditions,” Kone stated.
The Ivorians’ best performance in the U18 championship came in 2012, when they secured a silver medal in Maputo, Mozambique. Returning to the Final Round remains a top priority for Kone, but he is focused on securing the qualification first.
“The federation is very ambitious for this competition, which is why it decided to organize the qualifiers in Abidjan to enable them to participate in this competition and competitively too,” Kone explained.
As the host, Cote d’Ivoire faces the pressure of performing well on home soil. Kone remains vigilant about the competition, particularly from Nigeria, a historically strong contender, as well as emerging teams like Benin and Togo.
“There is notably Nigeria which is one of the most successful countries in this competition. So I think Nigeria is a serious competitor to take into account in the qualifiers and not forgetting countries like Benin and Togo which are starting to have a good youth development policy. Every team will come prepared but as host, we can’t afford to take any team for a ride,” Kone reasoned.
Ultimately, Kone’s immediate focus is on the Zone Qualifiers. “At this moment, my focus is directed to the Zone Qualifiers. Hopefully, we will qualify and only then can we start looking forward to the Final Round in South Africa. As a team, it’s one step at a time,” he concluded.
Coach Doh Kone’s journey is a testament to dedication, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to the sport. As he leads Cote d’Ivoire’s U18 team into the Zone 3 Qualifiers, the basketball community watches with anticipation, hopeful for a triumphant return to the Final Round.
Photo: FIBA
