Group B: Angola prepared to fight back, Uganda ready to make some noise at FIBA AfroBasket 2017

DAKAR (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - The Angolans have reaffirmed their intentions of winning their 12th African title, but they need to pass their Group B test against Uganda, Morocco and the Central African Republic (CAF) in Dakar.

From September 8-10, these four teams will do battle to advance to the Final Phase in Tunis.

ANGOLA

2015 placing: Runners-up 
Major talking point: Bolstered by one of the most experienced FIBA AfroBasket 2017 rosters will be put to the test as they aim at fighting back and regain the continental title lost two years ago.
Absences:  Valdelicio Joaquim and Milton Barros.
Head-to-head dating back to 2005: 4-0 against CAF; 5-0 against Morocco; Angola have never faced Uganda before. 
Key player: Carlos Morais, Reggie Moore, and Eduardo Mingas
The bottom line: At first glance, and based on their historic results, the Angolans would be capable of reaching the Semi-Finals. However, it remains to be seen how they respond to coach Manuel Silva's game plan. 

UGANDA 

2015 placing: 15th 
Major talking point: The Ugandans have so much progress over the past four years that head to Dakar  fearless, and more, importantly prepared to secure a place in the Quarter-Finals to be played in Tunis. 
Absences: Uganda's leading rebounder with 7.8 boards two at FIBA AfroBasket 2015, Brandon Sebirumbi might highly missed.
Head-to-head dating back to 2005: 0-1 against CAF. 
Key player: Stanley Ocitti
The bottom line: The recent appointment of Texas Legends assistant coach George Galanapoulos reaffirms Uganda's ambition in the tournament.
If they are to be evaluated by their training camp, especially a one-point loss to Egypt in Cairo last week, then the 'Silverbacks' have realistic chances of advancing to Tunis.

MOROCCO

2015 placing: 13th 
Major talking point: Half of the team has played together at least three African Championships.
Absences: Small forward Reda Ali Harras has pulled out the preliminary squad.
Head-to-head dating back to 2005: 0-5 against Angola, 2-2 CAF. 
Key player: Abdelhakim Zouita, Mustapha Khalfi, Abderrahim Najah and Soufiane Kourodu.
The bottom line: Morocco head to Dakar on the back of three defeats from their training camp in Turkey.

Neverthess, this is a team that tends to rise in big moments. So, it wouldn't be a surprise if they reach the Quarter-Finals.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

2015 placing: 14th 
Major talking point: The Central Africa Republic (CAF) won their first continental title in 1974. In 1987 in Tunisia, they returned to the top step of the podium. CAF have not reached the Semi-Final stage of FIBA AfroBasket since then. They finished 14th at FIBA AfroBasket 2015. However, this time round, they are looking to make great impact. But at first glance, it will a challenging mission for Max Kouguere and his teammates to reach the Final Phase.
Absences: Romain Sato, Mazime Zianveni and James Mays.
Head-to-head dating back to 2005: 0-4 against Angola, 2-2 Morocco and 1-0 against Uganda. 
Key player: Max Kouguere, Mike Mokongo, Jimmy Djimrabaye and Johan Grebongo.
The bottom line: The former African champions may plummeted in the NIKE FIBA World Rankings in recent years, but every time the Central Africans take on Angola, it's a show-time as they tend to give Angola some hard time.

Can they reach the Quarter-Finals? It's hard to predict.

FIBA