Badio, Eyenga, Fernando, Okogie, Queta among top stars returning for Window 4 in Africa

ABIDJAN/MONASTIR (Cote d'Ivoire/Tunisia) - A number of countries will receive a major boost in Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers as Brancou Badio, Christian Eyenga, Bruno Fernando, Josh Okogie and Mohamed Queta will all be returning to their respective national teams.

Here is look at seven of the biggest names who will be playing again for their countries in the African Qualifiers in Abidjan and Monastir from August 26-28.

Brancou BADIO - Senegal

DOB: February 17, 1999

Height: 1.88m (6ft 2in)

Position: Shooting Guard

Club: BAXI Manresa (Spain)

Senegal face an uphill battle to reach the FIBA World Cup 2023 as they sit in fifth place at the start of Second Round play in Group F - the top two advance from the two groups plus the best third- placed team. New head coach DeSagana Diop will hope that Badio’s return gives the team some strong direction after the Spain-based playmaker helped Senegal to a 2-1 record in the February 2022 window. Diop’s team will also be helped by the return of top youngsters Khalifa Diop and Amar Sylla.

Souleyman DIABATE - Cote d'Ivoire

DOB: July 21, 1987

Height: 1.83m (6ft 0in)

Position: Point Guard

Club: Zamalek (Egypt)

Cote d'Ivoire enter Second Round action with a perfect 4-0 mark in Group E and The Elephants will be even tougher opponent at the African Qualifiers at home in Abidjan as Diabate returns after sitting out the last window. The experience of the 35-year-old playmaker is invaluable as he collected 5.3 assists to 2.0 turnovers in three games. Cote d'Ivoire will also have the services of Charles Abouo, who is making his first appearance since 2021 FIBA AfroBasket.

Chrisian EYENGA - DR Congo

DOB: June 22, 1989

Height: 2.04m (6ft 8in)

Position: Small Forward

Club: Fuenlabrada (Spain)

DR Congo are in a major dogfight to reach the FIBA World Cup for the first time, even with Tunisia at 4-2 in Group F one win behind Egypt and two victories behind South Sudan. Spanish-based small forward Eyenga has not played for the country since the FIBA World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers and his versatile game and experience will be needed in some big games in the window. Another help will be Maxi Shamba Munanga playing for the first time for DR Congo since the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

Bruno FERNANDO - Angola

DOB: August 15, 1998
Height: 2.06m (6ft 9in)
Position: Forward
Club: Houston Rockets (NBA)

The first Angolan to play in the NBA, Fernando has been a no-show for the Angola national team for quite some time now. The team hopes he can play for Angola for the first time since the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Fernando had a strong close to the NBA season after moving to Houston, picking up two double-doubles in the last three weeks of the season.

Anyiarbany MAKOI - South Sudan

DOB: July 3, 2000
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Position: Point Guard
Club: Sydney Kings (Australia)

South Sudan are already cruising in their quest to reach the FIBA World Cup with a perfect African Qualifiers campaign. Makoi coming back after not playing Window 3 will make South Sudan just that much stronger again - a 22-year-old with great energy who can light up the scoreboard and also set up his teammates.

Josh OKOGIE - Nigeria

DOB: September 1, 1998
Height: 1.92m (6ft 3in)
Position: Guard
Club: Phoenix Suns (NBA)

Nigeria face some pressure in Group E with a 2-2 record and tough tests against Cote d’Ivoire and Angola in Window 4. But they will have some big firepower in Abidjan as Josh Okogie comes back to the team for the first time since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It will also be his first appearance on the continent of Africa in a Nigerian jersey. The Nigerian attack will also be boosted by the return of Ike Nwamu.

Mohamed QUETA - Guinea

DOB: May 1, 1995

Height: 2.04m (6ft 8in)

Position: Power Forward

Club: Union Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees (France)

Guinea come into the Second Round strapped with a 0-4 record and a major uphill climb in their fight to reach the FIBA World Cup. None of their opponents can take Guinea lightly though as they will be much stronger in Window 4 with Queta back in the mix. In the first three games of the African Qualifiers, he poured in 17.0 points to go with 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. Guinea will also see the return of Shanon Evans, who collected 19.0 points and 7.7 assists in his three games.

FIBA