ABIDJAN (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - As the clock continues ticking fast for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 to be co-hosted by Senegal and Tunisia from September 8-16, our editors weigh in the 16 teams' competitiveness and chances based on their rosters and preparation plans.

RANK	NATION	MOVE
1			Although Gorgui Dieng is yet to report to the team, the Senegalese gave Spain some hard time in last week's warm-up game. Maurice Ndour - the only Senegalese to score in double digits - led all scorers with 20 points while Ricky Rubio inspired the European champions with a team-high 14 points as Spain prevailed 80-69. Senegal's training camp will continue in Spain until next week.
2			Tunisia's preparation continues going from strength to strength after a three week-long training camp in Europe, where the former African champions faced Spain, Belgium, Portugal, and Romania.  Salah Mejri will miss Africa's flagship event for the first time since 2009 when he made his debut in the competition.
3		+1	The Angolans have returned home after a two-week training camp in China. In the process, head coach Manuel Silva has reduced the preliminary squad to 13 after cutting three-time AfroBasket participant Milton Barros from the group.
4		+4	After three weeks of training camp on home soil, the Central Africans are set to resume preparations in Tunisia. While James Mays is expected to pull out of the team, news that Romain Sato is preparing his return to the national team after an eight-year absence has bolstered the Central Africans' chances.
5		+1	Cameroon have lost their two warm-up games against Brazil last week. Nevertheless, holding a training camp in Sao Paulo, Brazil, might have some positives for the Central Africans, who counted with the coaching support from Carlos Barbosa, a respected Brazilian coach who was at the helm of South Americans women's team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
6		-1	With just over two weeks for the start of the African Championship, Egypt are yet to appoint a replacement for coach Juan Orenga, whose contract with the country's Basketball Federation expires on August 31. Originally tasked to lead the North Africans until the end of the African Championship, Orenga saw his dream of participating at the 16-team FIBA Africa come to an end as a result of the tournament reschedule (September 8-16).
7		-4	It's been over two weeks since Alex Nwora was appointed as the new head coach of African champions Nigeria. However, no plans or preliminary squad has been announced with over two weeks to the start of the FIBA AfroBasket 2017.
8		+2	After weeks of uncertainty and negotiations between players and the country's Basketball Federation, Morocco have finally started their preparations last week. France-born John Walter Wilkins is set to make his FIBA AfroBasket debut for the North Africans.
9		+3	As we write, Uganda might be considering changes at the coaching staff position.
10		+1	The Congolese are currently holding a training in Tunisia, where they will mark their first FIBA AfroBasket appearance in a decade.
11		-4	Mali continue preparations in Bamako.
12		+3	Cedric Mansare, Yaouba Sylla, and Ismael Conde are expected to play major roles in Guinea's first FIBA AfroBasket appearance in more than three decades.
13		+1	Rwandan's leading scorer Kenneth Gasana is expected to join the team's training camp 'soon', according to a source to FIBA.basketball.
14		-4	Talking to FIBA.basketball, Mozambique head coach Inaki Garcia lamented the absence of key players from the team's preparations for "professional, health and personal reasons." Recently named MVP of Mozambique National Championship, Ismael Nurmamad has pulled out the preliminary squad. Andre Velasco, Augusto Matos, Pio Matos, Edson Monjane and Dercio Mula might not be available for the tournament.
15		-1	As we write, the Ivorians are yet to start their preparations.
16			Talking to FIBA.basketball, South Africa head coach Craig Gilchrist revealed the team's training camp is expected to start on Wednesday, August 23.