ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Following the first-leg action of the FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019 ELITE 8 last month, and in the build-up to the defining second-leg, which tips off on Friday, April 5th, FIBA.basketball breaks down and ranks the eight teams chasing a place in the Final-Four in May.
Here's how the Last Eight teams rank:
1
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Team: Smouha Sporting Club (EGYPT)
Record: 4-0
Latest Result: Victory at Al Ahly
Last Power Ranking: 2nd
Arguably the team of the moment in the FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019.
After a perfect Group Phase campaign where they sealed three wins in as many games, Smouha Sporting Club made a huge statement last week by beating continental heavyweight Al Ahly in Cairo. As the Alexandria-based side prepare to host Al Ahly for the defining second-leg, they seat in the driving seat of the two-game series.
With point guard James Justice Jr making a case for the MVP award, and with Adamu Saaka playing a huge supporting role, it's fair to rank Smouha at No.1.
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2
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Team: Primeiro D'Agosto (ANGOLA)
Record: 4-0
Latest Result: Victory at Petro Atletico
Last Power Ranking: 4th
Beating two former African champions (Al Ahly and Petro Atletico de Luanda) in the last two FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019 games says it all about D'Agosto's intentions.
Just when Petro Atletico seemed capable of stopping D'Agosto's three-game winning streak, Emmanuel Quezada came up with a performance for the ages (36 points), in the 70-56 triumph, and, as a result, established a FIBA Africa Basketball League record for most points scored in a game .
On Friday, April 5th, D'Agosto host Petro Atletico in a game that will determine the 2019 first FINAL-FOUR participant.
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3
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Team: Association Sportive Sale (MOROCCO)
Season record: 3.5 - 0
Latest Result: Draw at Civil Defenders
Last Power Ranking: 1st
Although the reigning African champions struggled in a 69-69 draw against Nigerian Civil Defenders Basketball in Abuja over the weekend, the Moroccans remain in total control of their FIBA Africa Basketball 2019 destiny.
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4
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Team: Jeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise (TUNISIA)
Record: 3-1
Latest Result: Win over Etoile Sportive Rades
Last Power Ranking: 7th
In the stands, JS Kairouan supporters showed passion and loyalty to their team, on the basketball court, Maodo Nguirane inspired his peers in a much-needed 68-67 over Tunisian champions Etoile Sportive de Rades.
The Senegalese star has been instrumental for the Kairouan side throughout the season.
For a team that came in to the competition with a relatively unknown international record, JS Kairouan recalled everyone that tenacity and self-belief can win games, and - maybe - championships also.
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5
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Team: Etoile Sportive Rades (TUNISIA)
Record: 3-1
Latest Result: Lost at JS Kairouan
Last Power Ranking: 3rd
A one-point loss at JS Kairouan in the first of the two-game series raised more questions than answers about the Tunisian champions' consistency, although Etoile Sportive de Rades seem to have what it takes to turn the series around later this month.
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Team: Al Ahly (EGYPT)
Record: 2-2
Latest Result: Lost at home against Smouha Sporting Club
Last Power Ranking: 6th
Four games into the FIBA Africa Champions League 2019 campaign, and Al Ahly continue to experience ups and downs.
Todd O'Brien has been dominant at both ends of the floor, after recording his third double-double (26 points and 14 rebounds) but the 2016 African champions (2-2) are yet to convince fans and observers of their title intentions. But beating Smouha SC 3-2 in the Super League best-of-three playoffs earlier this week has come at the right time.
However, Al Alhy can't afford another FIBA ABL defeat later this weekend in Alexandria. If they struggle, it might mean the end of the road for the historic club in the continental tournament.
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7
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Team: Petro Atletico de Luanda (ANGOLA)
Season record: 2-2
Latest Result: Lost at home against Primeiro D'Agosto
Last Power Ranking: 5th
The question everybody is asking is 'How can Petro Atletico recover from a 13-point deficit against a team that has just closed their 2018-19 Angolan League regular season in the first place, and look stronger than ever?
To stop D'Agosto's Many Quezada and improve offensively must be Petro's priorities.
Petro Atletico's new signings Carlos Morais and Kendall Grey will need to do a lot better than they did in in Game 1.
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8
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Team: Civil Defenders Basketball (NIGERIA)
Season record: 2.5-1
Latest Result: Draw at home against AS Sale
Last Power Ranking: 8th
The Nigerians wasted a superb opportunity of beating AS Sale in the first leg. But more importantly, Civil Defenders Basketball can't afford sloppy plays in the second-leg against the African champions.
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*NOTE: This Power Rankings reflects the views of FIBA.basketball editorial team. It is a subjective exercise and it does reflect FIBA's World Rankings criteria.
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