Minnows throw down the gauntlet at AfroBasket Qualifiers Window 1

 

CAIRO/MONASTIR (Egypt/Tunisia) - It was an exciting three days of action as 12 of the 20 teams vying for a place in the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket locked horns in Cairo (Egypt) and Monastir (Tunisia). 

While group D matches involving AfroBasket reigning silver medalist Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Central Africa Republic and hosts Egypt were held in Cairo, Monastir hosted Groups B and E with the reigning African champions, Tunisia, enjoying home advantage. 

In Cairo, the status quo was challenged as Egypt, who went to the first window of qualification as the frontrunner team suffered defeat, albeit against formidable opposition in Cote d'Ivoire. 

Under coach Henrik Rödl, the Egyptian side, powered by veterans Amr Gendy and Anas Mahmoud as well as young guns Patrick Gardener and Youssef Helmy, looked solid against John Douaglin's charges, Cote d'Ivoire but could not hold on for victory as they lost 79-76. 

Cote d'Ivoire, who lost to Tunisia in the final of the 2021 edition of the continental competition, head to the second round with a perfect run, while Egypt will be out to avenge that loss, the Ivorians remain upbeat. 

It was, however, group underdogs Madagascar who made history, picking their first-ever AfroBasket Qualifiers win as they beat former African champions Central Africa Republic (CAF), a side that finished 13th in 2021. 

Led by France based forward Sitraka Raharimanantoanina and lethal shooter Elly Randriamampionona, the Alphonse Ravonimbola-led islanders showed grit against Lautie Sylvain's charges to move closer to qualification. 

The next phase of qualification will be interesting as, while the top two sides will look to outdo each other in the race for top place, a wounded CAF could just cause all manner of problems for the duo in their quest for qualification. 

What's more, Madagascar are promising to come back bigger and better, ready to write more history for the island national team. 

Meanwhile in Monastir, another underdog, unranked Libya were on a run of their own as they completed the window with a 2-1 record thanks to wins over Nigeria in overtime, and Uganda, losing to Cape Verde, fourth in the  2021 showpiece, narrowly. 

Their minnow tag did little to stop the Libyans who have been out of continental basketball for over a decade as players like Mohamed Sadi, Jalal Saeid and Sofian Hamad proved key in the side's performance, putting them in a perfect position to return to the continental extravaganza next year. 

Holders Tunisia remain unbeaten, finishing ahead of Angola while Kenya beat Guinea to rank third in group E.

While Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia and Cape Verde closed the opening window of the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers with a perfect 3-0 mark, CAF, Nigeria and Guinea returned home empty-handed at 0-3 and a lot to worry about. 

In addition to Libya and Madagascar's first wins in the new format of the AfroBasket Qualifiers, Uganda shooting guard Robinson Opong left his mark in Window 1 by establishing a record for most scored in a single game. 

Opong's 39 points in a 72-62 win over Nigeria ended the recorded previously set by Ugandan-American Ishmail Wainwright who had scored 36 points in a 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers clash against Cape Verde.

The qualifying round for next year's AfroBasket resumes in November with Groups A and C making their entrance in the tournament.

FIBA