Power Rankings: In the build-up to Window 4, World Cup African Qualifiers is anyone's game

 

 

ABIDJAN/MONASTIR (Cote d'Ivoire/Tunisia) - Ahead of Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers anything is possible for the 12 teams hunting a place in the Indonesia-Japan-Philippines showpiece next year.

The race for the five tickets for African countries is closer than even before.

But, who is leading the race? And how teams' latest moves have reshaped the African Qualifiers.

With a week to the start of the Second Round of the African Qualifiers, where does each team stand? 

NOTE: The movement from previous rankings in July is reflected in the brackets.

 

#1 SOUTH SUDAN  (-)

Record: 6-0 in Group B
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 11th

As the World Cup African Qualifiers enters a defining moment South Sudan remain loyal to its consistency policy, which has been crucial to a team that a year and half ago struggled to qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket. 

The return of most of the squad that started South Sudan's African Qualifiers campaign in February is a sign of the team's identity, although they are expected to add a few new faces to go up against equally ambitious Egypt, DR Congo and Senegal.

South Sudan have learned the African basketball specificities quickly enough to keep them on the pole position for what could be their biggest achievement so far. If they win their next three games, it will  be a game-changing in the African basketball landscape.

#2 TUNISIA  (+3)

Record: 4-2 in Group B
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 5th

How has Tunisia climbed three places in such a short time in this Power Rankings? The answer is on Tunisia's home-court record. 

We need to go back to August 29, 2015 to find Tunisia's last defeat on home soil. It was the Semi-Finals of the 2015 AfroBasket, when Angola upset Tunisia 58-51 to meet Nigeria in the Final. Since then, Tunisia built a 21-1 winning-streak on home soil, which included a 6-0 (2017 AfroBasket), 6-0 (2019 World Cup African Qualifiers) and a 3-0 record in the Second Round of the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers, and, of course, a 6-1 in the 2015 AfroBasket.

Put together Tunisia's home-court record, the presence of their passionate fans and a group of players that has played together for a decade and the Eagles sit on a strong position to improve from the current 4-2 and relaunch their World Cup aspirations.

#3 COTE D'IVOIRE  (-1) 

Record: 6-0 in Group C
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 5th

The Elephants are headed to Window 4 of the African Qualifiers without two vital players: Matt Costello and Assemian Moulare.

However, playing at home for the second straight time in just over a month could be a major moral booster for a team that has won all their four games so far and keep their World Cup aspirations alive.

And the return of Souleyman Diabate, who sat out Window 3 of the African Qualifiers in July, represents a huge addition to the Elephants.
 

#4 EGYPT  (-1)

Record 5-1 in Group D
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 6th

Fresh off a training camp in the Bahamas where the Pharaohs finished 1-2 in a three-team warm-up tournament against Puerto Rico, South Dakota University and Ohio State University, Egypt remain a solid and defensive-minded team that can cause some damage in Monastir. 

Egypt's strongest assets at this stage are the team's cohesion and chemistry, and their burning desire to return to the World Cup to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

#5 NIGERIA  (+3)

Record: 2-2 in Group A
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 1st

The addition of Tokyo 2020 olympians Josh Okogie, Ike Nwamu, and Miye Oni, and the return of coach Mike Brown has boosted the D'Tigers chances for the next three games against Angola, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire.

The last time Nigeria visited Abidjan, they experienced their worst result in African basketball in the last two decades after a humiliating 76-46 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire in the last window of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers. 

There's no question how Nigeria had their pride hurt in the first Windows of the African Qualifiers, where they lost to Cape Verde twice.

With the current roster and coaching staff, it's now a superb chance for Nigeria to prove they are legitimate World Cup contenders.

#6 CAPE VERDE  (-2)

Record: 3-1 in Group A
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 10th

Cape Verde don't need to prove how resilient they can be, but inconsistency remains their main concern.

Walter Tavares - a key factor in the team's rotation in recent times - is available for the next three games, and and the islanders have to make the most of his presence. 

Taking on Angola, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire may not be the easiest task, but this team has shown they belong amongst the African basketball royalty, and can cause a lot more damage in Window 4.
 

#7 ANGOLA  (-)

Record: 4-2 in Group C
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 3rd

The good news for Angola is that Bruno Fernando - the first Angolan to play in the NBA - has joined the team's training camp, and is expected to make his first appearance for the 'Black Antelopes'  since 2016 FIBA Olympian Qualifying Tournament in Serbia.

However, some of the team's big names are still missing and Angola's upcoming stars Childe Dundao, Gerson Lukeny Goncalves and Aboubacar Gakou need to bring their A-game to match-up Nigeria Cape Verde and Uganda. 

#8 SENEGAL  (+1)

Record: 3-3 in Group D
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 4th

All eyes will be on how former Senegal international player DeSagana Diop handles a team that desperately needs to get back on track after parting ways with former coach Boniface Ndong.

Facing high-flying South Sudan, Tunisia and Cameroon is the toughest task newly-appointed coach Diop will face in his new position.

Nevertheless, the return of Brancou Badio , Amar Sylla, Khalifa Diop and  an 89-72 win  in a warm-up game over Cape Verde early this week give Senegal hope.

#9 DR CONGO  (-3)

Record: 4-2 in Group D
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 13th

Although NBA champions Jonathan Kuminga is expected to debut for his country, and Pitchou Manga could be added to the team's rotation it remains to be known how the Leopards will perform under newly appointed coach Emmanuel Mavomo.

#10 UGANDA  (-)

Record: 1-3 in Group A
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 14th

The Silverbacks have dropped three games in Kigali last month, making Window 4 of the African Qualifiers an opportunity to see how the Silverbacks can regroup and relaunch their World Cup African Qualifiers campaign against Angola, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea.

#11 CAMEROON  (-)

Record: 1-5 in Group B
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 7th

Highly regarded point guard Paris Lee has acquired Cameroonian nationality and is expected to debut for the Indomitable Lions on Monastir. 

Can Lee turn Cameroon's fortunes around in the World Cup African Qualifiers? Time will tell.

#12 GUINEA  (-)

Record: 0-4 in Group C
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 17th

Outsider, yes, but Zeljko Zecevic's team isn't throwing in the towel despite the 0-4 record. And with the return of Shane Evans and Mohamed Queta this Guinea team cannot be underestimated.

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.

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