DAKAR (Senegal) - The 2025 FIBA AfroBasket's lineup may not be decided until Window 3 of the Qualifiers in February, but the eight teams taking to the floor in Dakar (November 22-24) will surely offer a dogfight in the race for the Angola showpiece.
The eight teams that will take to the floor in Dakar rank from No.1 (South Sudan) to No.27 Gabon, but can their FIBA World Rankings be reflected in the 12 games scheduled for the Dakar Arena?
This Power Rankings edition takes into consideration a number of factors, including player availability, opposition's potential, and coaching staff's background.
Based on the eight teams' current and recent circumstances, we rank them from bottom to top.
8. GABON
Less than a week before the qualifiers, the Gabonese camp faced a major blow following Chris Silva's withdrawal for a reportedly injury. The former NBA player who now plays for Bnei Herzliya in Israel's topflight, was eager to suit up for his country for the first time, but the Central African nation will have to wait until Silva is fully available. Is February's Window 3 of the qualifiers for Silva? Time will tell. Until then, Coach Cedric Wilfred will have to rely on his mostly home-based roster.
7. RWANDA
Of all the eight teams headed to Dakar, Rwanda is probably the team holding the longest training camp. Coach Cheikh Sarr called up a number of new faces, including American-Rwandan Antino Jackson, who played a major role in APR's 2024 League title.
The team's core has been playing together for a number of years, as well as Coach Sarr who over just before the 2021 AfroBasket held on home soil.
Despite Rwanda's team cohesion, taking on Cameroon and hosts Senegal in Group C emerges as an uphill task to overcome.
6. MOROCCO
They came up short to Libya in the Pre-Qualifiers early this year, but replacing Mozambique in the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers three weeks ago is certainly an opportunity the reigning FIBA AfroCan champions are looking to capitalise from.
Facing South Sudan, DR Congo and Mali in Group is certainly a challenging task for Morocco, but it's its talented roster, led by playmaker Kevin Franceschi, sharpshooter Nouhi Ayoub and experienced Mohamed Choua that keeps them upbeat.
5. DR Congo
Frenchman Michel Perrin has joined DR Congo's coaching staff, hoping to share his vast experience in African basketball acquired over the last 15 years. Perrin has coached Guinea, Mali, Cameroon (women's national team) and the Central African Republic.
But the most exciting news for the 'Leopards' is the imminent debut of Yannick Nzosa, 21, who became one of the youngest players to feature in Spain's ACB at the age of 16.
4. MALI
Remember a group of Malian teenagers who took the 2019 FIBA Basketball World by storm before falling to the US in the final?
Well, the core of that team, which included the likes of Siriman Kanoute, twins Fousseyni and Hassan Drame, and Ourmar Ballo, is now a group of matured players vying to help Mali qualify for the 2025 AfroBasket.
Even Alhadji Dicko, who masterminded Mali's historic performance, is now the man at the helm of the team.
In addition to former promising stars, Dicko called up Aliou Diarra, the 2023 BAL Dikembe Mutombo Defensive Player and seasoned Ibrahim Djambo, who has been donning the Malian jersey for almost a decade.
Taking on Africa's No.1 South Sudan, ambitious Morocco and up and coming DR Congo might seem a tough challenge, but it's one Mali can't wait to face.
3. CAMEROON
Alfred Aboya has revolutionised the Indomitable Lions', who can take on any team on any given night. The country with the most active NBA players in the current season may not be playing with some of their best athletes, but what this team has achieved recently - a 4-0 mark in the 2023 Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament) is remarkable.
And, what really makes this Cameroonian team one to watch out for is their impressive improvement. Remember Cameroon's historic 77-74 win over Brazil in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament? The good news for the Lions is that more than half of the team that finished 1-2 in Latvia made it to Dakar aiming to make some noise in the race to next year's AfroBasket.
2. SENEGAL
On February 26, 2022, hosts Senegal lost 62-57 to DR Congo at Dakar Arena in the First Round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers. It's certainly a defeat that remains alive in many Senegalese's minds, but the Teranga Lions now have a second chance to regain the hearts of their home fans.
The Senegalese aren't known for failing twice at home, and although Gabon, Cameroon and Rwanda might present some challenges, DeSagana Diop's men have what it takes to get the job done in front of their home fans.
1. SOUTH SUDAN
Former NBA All Star and Great Britain international Luol Deng is back at the helm of the No.1 team in Africa, who are chasing their second straight AfroBasket appearance.
The Bright Stars may be missing some of their 2024 Olympics players, but it's the presence of seasoned Nuni Omot and Gabriel Wenyen, Jackson Makoi and Dhieu Abwok Deing that makes this teams a threat to opponents.
Note:The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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