DAKAR (Senegal) - On paper South Sudan are clearly the strongest team to clinch Group A's top spot, but taking on teams with ambitious goals in the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers could be a challenging task.
For three days, from November 22-24, DR Congo, Mali and Morocco will look to halt South Sudan's 11-1 winning run, which dates back to February 2022.
Senegal was the last team to beat the Bright Stars (69-66) during the second round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers on August 26, 2022 in Monastir, Tunisia.
WHAT'S AT STAKE IN GROUP A
The more wins one can get the bigger chances they have to progress to next year's AfroBasket to be held in Angola.
This week's qualifiers in Dakar marks the start of Group A's campaign with the conclusion scheduled for February 2025.
A good start to the qualifiers is a must-do task for the four Group A contenders because, at the end of the capping in February, the teams that finish in the top three places of the group advance will advance while the last-placed team will be eliminated from contention.
MUST-WATCH GAMES IN GROUP A
In all fairness, all 6 (six) Group A games matter, but the opening game between Morocco and South Sudan is definitely a must-watch.
Only three players from South Sudan's Paris Olympics' squad made it to Dakar, but this doesn't diminish the Bright Stars' potential of coming up on top.
However, this Morocco team can't be judged by their underperformance in the AfroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, which they lost to Libya in a two-game series, especially because of the fresh legs added to the roster.
South Sudan v Mali on Game-day 2, on November 23, is another cracker that could have fans on the edge of their seats, given the quality of both rosters.
Still on Game-day 2, there'll be a rematch of the 2023 FIBA AfroCab Semi-Final rematch when Morocco takes on DR Congo.
WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT EACH GROUP A TEAM
Morocco
After falling short in a two-game Pre-Qualifiers series against Libya, Morocco had a sigh of relief with an invitation to replace Mozambique in the Qualifiers.
The Moroccans are chasing their first AfroBasket berth since 2017 when they stunned the continent, finishing fourth. They are the current FIBA AfroCan title holders.
South Sudan
The Bight Stars became Africa's No.1 team in the last FIBA World Rankings update last September. Luol Deng is back at the helm of the team, taking over from Royal Ivey, who currently serves as a Houston Rockets assistant coach.
DR Congo
Yannick Nzosa, a 21-year-old who became one of the youngest players to debut in Spain's ACB League at the age of 16 is set to make his debut with the Leopards.
Mali
Some of the players that led Mali to a historic second-place finish in the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup are now being tested at senior level, but the likes of Siriman Kanoute and twin brothers Fousseyini and Hassan Drame have shown that they can compete at the highest level in African basketball. The team is led by Alhadji Dicko, who coached Mali at 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
WORLD RANKINGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Some have become household names in the African basketball scene and need no introduction, but we recall here ten players that you should keep an eye on during Window 2 of the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
TOP PROSPECTS
Mali's Aliou Diarra continues to make his name for himself in the African basketball scene. After inspiring Stade Malien to an unexpected third-place in the 2023 BAL season and clinching the season's Defensive Player of the Year, Diarra is now looking to establish as an impactful player for Mali.
Babacar Sane's athleticism and potential have seen him suit up for Senegal on a number of occasions, including the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. After a season with the G League Ignites, he is now with the Salt Lake City Stars.
17-year-old Mohamed Seini made a splash at the 2024 FIBA U18 AfroBasket where the seven-footer inspired Cameroon to an unexpected second place finish.
Yannick Nzosa is a left-handed center with incredible agility and remarkable footwork. He's long been associated with his country's national team, and this could be his maiden opportunity to suit up for the Leopards.
FIBA