ABIDJAN (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - In the lead-up to the FIBA AfroBasket 2017, we take a closer look at all 16 participating teams competing in the championship running from September 8-16 in the co-host countries of Senegal and Tunisia.

Team: Cote d'Ivoire
NIKE FIBA World Ranking: 40th.
Last participation at FIBA AfroBasket: 2015 (2 wins, 3 losses; 12th place)
Best results in the history of FIBA AfroBasket: Winners in 1981 and 1985
Qualified for FIBA AfroBasket 2017: As winners of FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers against Benin and Burkina Faso.

History/Qualification: Cote d'Ivoire have reached the Final of the FIBA Africa Championship for the first time in 1978, but they were defeated by hosts Senegal.

The 'Elephants' returned to the Final two years later, but again had to settle for silver, as Senegal took the gold.

Another run the following year, in 1981, saw Cote d'Ivoire finally break through and win their first-ever continental title thanks to an 81-65 victory over Egypt in the Final.

Four years later, Cote d'Ivoire won their second championship, as they hosted the tournament in 1985, beating Angola in the Final. 

Twenty-four years after their second African title, the Ivorians claimed a second-place at the FIBA AfroBasket 2009 in Libya, and as a result, they qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010, which marked their first world stage appearance since 1986.

As host of the 2013 edition of FIBA Africa's most important competition, and lining-up one of their most talented rosters, the 'Elephants' fell to Angola in the Semi-Finals before collapsing to Senegal in the Third-Place game. 

Much as they have remained a force in African basketball, they are yet to qualify for the summer Olympics. 

Outlook: Although Cote d'Ivoire have experienced some ups in downs in recent years, the 'Elephants' talent can't be denied. 

They can be counted as one of the strongest national teams on the continent. As two-time champions, they have been regulars at FIBA AfroBasket.

Cote d’Ivoire are leaving nothing to chance this time around in their bid to claim a podium finish in Tunisia - where the Final Phase will be played in September - with a strong team that would compete effectively for the FIBA AfroBasket crown.

For their training camp, coach Hugues Occansey called up players from France, the USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Macedonia and England.

Key players: Souleymane Diabate, Guy Landry Edi, Mohamed Kone and Mamadou Herve Lamizana - if available for the upcoming African championship - have been some of the most influential Ivoirian players in recent years.

Rising Star: Cedric Bah, who will be making his debut with the senior team at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, could add some height to the Ivoirian team. The son of the former African champion Florent Bah - who led all the players in rebounding at FIBA AfroBasket 1981 - could be a big asset in the paint if he stays injury-free.

Possible outcome: With a hood of quality players drawn from Europe and America, Cote d’Ivoire look good to go past the Group Phase and possibly reach the Semi-Finals. A podium finish cannot be ruled out.

Cote d’Ivoire are in Group A with Nigeria, DR Congo, and Mali.

FIBA