A closer look at each group of the 2023 FIBA AfroCan

LUANDA (Angola) - The whistle goes in Luanda, Angola on July  8 as the second edition of the FIBA AfroCan championship gets under way with a total of 12 teams on the card.

Cote d'Ivoire, over the weekend, completed the participating roster when the 'Elephants" became the latest nation to qualify for the tournament after beating Nigeria 74-65.

Despite that loss,  the D'Tigers also made it to Angola courtesy of a FIBA Africa wild card. The two giants finished in the lower level of this competition in the 2019 championship.

Four teams, namely Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique and Rwanda are making their maiden appearances in Luanda.

So who carries home the gold medal when the curtain finally comes down on July 16?

It will be a race like no other in this competition whose aim is to give home-based players a forum to showcase their talents at the international level.

Going by the results, from Bamako, Mali four years ago, AfroCan is rightfully starting to become one FIBA Africa's highlights other than the AfroBasket.

Four teams - led by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Kenya (runners-up), Angola (third) and Morocco (fourth) - qualified for this spectacle by virtue of reaching the Semi Finals in the last edition.

GROUP A

Kenya, Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire

Four years ago Kenya shocked Africa's basketball hierarchy by finishing second at 2019 AfroCan

By making their first podium finish in the tournament, Kenya built a solid squad by tirelessly working their way up the ladder. The question remains. Can they replicate or go a step further this time round?

A lot has changed positively for Cote d'Ivoire basketball and what remains is for that effort to be translated into the pursuit of their African basketball dreams.

Gabon are not regulars competitors on the continental scene and this event provides the platform for them to make a mark.

GROUP B

Angola, Nigeria, Mali

A 69-61 Quarter-Finals loss to Morocco halted hosts Mali's dream of winning the inaugural AfroCan in Bamako 

Angola have the pedigree and an impressive home record to turn the tables. Can they  become the first team to win it all at home in front of their insatiable fans?

Nigeria have an array of talent both abroad and at home but they have yet to shake the continental powerhouses. They hope the invitation after finishing second in their Qualifiers can spur them to success.

By  finishing fifth overall in a disappointing outing in Bamako did not augur well for Mali. But there is little doubt that they are on the right track and can slug with the best.

GROUP C

Morocco, Tunisia, Rwanda

July 25, 2019 was the day Kenya brought Tunisia to its knees  in the Quarter-Finals

Morocco are one of the nations that deservedly sat among the top-ten national teams in Africa not so long ago has rapidly rolled downhill. But there is determination and the time to redeem themselves is now.

There is little doubt that Tunisia is has been a dominant force at the top winning back-to-back AfroBasket titles. They are banking on a new generation to keep the fire burning.

Rwanda have been a perfect host to big FIBA Africa competitions and they have showed gradual progress toward being a force.  What is left is for them is to put their hands on a continental trophy.

GROUP D

DR Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon

It remains to be seen if AfroCan reigning champions DR Congo can prevail against debutants Cameroon and Mozambique

By bagging the gold medal in the inaugural AfroCan without losing a game, the DR Congo lifted their first-ever continental title. They have a strong team, but can they repeat as champions?

Mozambique missed the flag sheep event but now have a major opportunity to rejoin the basketball family and try to re-establish their program. They are exited to be back, but can they raise the bar?

Cameroon finished their qualifier with a solid 4-0 record, and have a yet to find their rhythm when facing the top teams. Is this the platform for the home-based players to show their teeth?

Let Luanda battle for the 2023 AfroCan begin.

FIBA