All hands on Dech for Cup tilt

Sunday Dech can all but touch his ticket to the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.

The Adelaide 36ers star guard will again lead South Sudan in their next qualification phase next week in Tunisia, where two wins out of three will book his country’s place in the tournament.

“That’s the common consensus (to win two games), but we are going over there to win all three,” Dech said.

“Everyone has talked about it and they’ve said eight wins will get you through.”

South Sudan are currently 6-0 in their qualification phase, with three games against Senegal, Congo and Egypt to come next week.

Dech said Egypt will be a real threat and are a big rival for his country.

“We have watched them, they have been in the other pool and they have been playing really well,” Dech said.

“They have a style similar to ours, it will be a good match up.

“They’re definitely a rival, but over there anyone can win on any given night.”

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The 195cm combo guard said his side will need to improve from their last qualification window in July, and have added former NBL big man Jo Lual-Acuil.

“He is a really big get for us. Adds a whole lot of talent and a whole lot of experience to our front court,” Dech said.

“With the new guys coming in, they are going to add a lot more talent to our roster, more depth and more size, which is what we need going up against Egypt and Senegal.

“We have to go over there and put our best foot forward

“This is something that is bigger than the individual, all the guys that have come in have bought in.”

As point guard, Dech has a number of options to make sure his country qualifies for the FIBA World Cup for the first time.

“These guys make my job easy – I just go out there and find them all, knock down shots and make plays,” he said.

“It’s all about staying together and staying on the same page.”