Who carries the day in Group D as AfroBasket qualifiers get underway?

CAIRO (Egypt) - It is all systems go as the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers tip off with Egypt hosting Group D matches in the first window at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo.

The two time (1975, 1983) African champions go up against Cote d'Ivoire, Central Africa Republic (CAF) and Madagascar in a group that promises some heated match-ups.

Under the tutelage of the experienced Henrik Rödl, who has guided Germany through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2021, the hosts are looking to have a strong start to the competition, despite facing some formidable opposition in their group.

The side, fresh from a tournament in Doha that served as part of their preparations for the Qualifiers, will be buoyed by the presence of key players led by 2021 Basketball Africa League's Dikembe Mutombo Defensive Player Award winner Anas Mahmoud and Ehab Amin.

Rödl also has the experience of centre player Assem Marei and power forward Marwan Sarhan among others. The North Africans will look to qualify and improve on their 2021 11th place finish.

The hosts open their campaign against Lautie Sylvain-coached CAF, another two-time (1974, 1987) African champion who has not reached such heights since, finishing 13th in 2021.

Key players in their lineup include star shooting guard Max Kouguere who will be relied on heavily as he looks to leave a mark in what he terms his last AfroBasket.

He will partner with rising star forward Allan Dokossi, who competes for JDA Dijon in France’s top-tier Betclic Élite and Europe’s Basketball Champions League, and the likes of Evans Ganapamo, a talented small forward among others.

"We did the best we could during our preparations, playing in the same tournament as Egypt in Doha, and are ready for action. We have a mix of youth and experience and are keen to qualify. We face tough teams like Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire who played in the Olympics qualifiers as well as a talented Madagascar side and we are aware it will not be easy. We will leave everything on the court," Max told FIBA.basketball.

Meanwhile, the opening match in the group will pit reigning AfroBasket silver medalists Cote d'Ivoire against Madagascar.

With floor generals like the experienced Solo Diabate and youngsters like Maxence Dadiet, the West Africans have an advantage over the Islanders nicknamed Ankoay.

"We have been preparing in Paris and come for the competition ready. Despite being runners up we respect every team here and we are out to give our best. The squad has not changed a lot from the 2021 squad but we have more experience which we hope to use to our advantage," Diabate said adding that a good start against Madagascar would sent a message to the other two sides that they mean business and give them the confidence to bag all three wins.

As for the Alphonse Ravonimbola-led Malagasy side, the spotlight will be on key players Elly Randriamampionona, Livio Ratianarivo, and Rija Lahontan. The trio is expected to guide the islanders to qualification against such formidable opposition.

FIBA