ALEXANDRIA/KIGALI (Egypt/Rwanda) - The First Round of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers concluded over the weekend with a number of performances that couldn't go unnoticed. 

Over the course five days, 16 national teams played a total of 24 games across two African cities, Alexandria and Kigali, and while no team has yet secured automatic qualification to the Final Round of the African championship, some appear in total control of their destiny. 

In no particular order, here are some of the highlights from the November's window of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers.

IBRAHIMA FAYE (Senegal)

While Faye used the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 as a platform to introduce himself to a world audience, the 23-year-old reaffirmed last week in Kigali his intentions of becoming a name to be reckoned with the Senegalese jersey. 

Strong in the paint, effective at both ends of the floor, the 2.09m (6ft 10in) agile forward energized the Senegalese his team averaging vital 13.7 points and 4.3 points in three games, a clear consistent performance compared to his 9.0 points and 9.6 rebounds recorded in China.  

SOUTH SUDAN

Who would have thought that a team that fell short in the Invitational Tournament in Yaounde a month earlier could cause so much damage in Kigali?

The South Sudanese, who replaced Algeria in the Qualifiers, not only showed strong signs of their tremendous potential against Africa No.1 team Nigeria, despited of a 76-56 loss, but they also bounced back with two important wins against continental powerhouse Mali before denying hosts Rwanda.

The newest African nation returned home with an encouraging 2-1 as they sit second in Group D.

NIGERIA

Nigerians deserve credit it for putting together a team in such a short period of time, and yet managing to secure a commanding 3-0 mark in their group

Nigeria trounced all their Group D opponents South Sudan, Mali and Rwanda by an average of 21 points per game. They never trailed against Rwanda or South Sudan.

Head coach Mike Brown, who is expected to lead Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics, made his African basketball debut with a team that combined  a trio of FIBA AfroBasket 2015 winners Ike Diogu, Ben Uzoh and Michael Gbnije and a number of players looking join the Nigerian basketball hierarchy. 

LUOL DENG

The former Great Britain international returned home with a clear message of trying to put his native country's name in the international basketball map.

And, things are looking great for the man who not only presides South Sudan Basketball Federation, but he also took the helm of the team days before arriving in Kigali. Deng propelled to a 2-1 record at the end of the three-day event in the Rwandan capital.

While South Sudan sit second in their group, it's not clear whether or not Deng will continue as head coach for the remaining of the Qualifiers.

MYCK KABONGO

What a delight was to watch Kabongo wearing the DR Congo jersey for the first time since the FIBA AfroBasket 2017! 

A skilful point guard, who inspired the Congolese to a shocking win over AfroBasket reigning champions Nigeria three years ago, Kabongo came up strong in Kigali, igniting his team's offense with 7.3 assists per game. 

But, the man who was once pre-selected by his adoptive country of Canada, wasn't all about dishing out assists, the former University of Texas standout contributed 10.7 points per game.

The Congolese trail Group A leaders Tunisia in the second place.

CAPE VERDE

The islanders may have returned home with a 1-2 record at the end of the First Round of Group F played in Alexandria, but they gained respect and admiration from opposing teams.  

Having just nine players available following last-minute injuries that prevented point guard Shane Da Rosa and power forward Sekouba Conde from playing in Alexandria, things looked bleak for Cape Verde who demonstrated they real competitors pedigree. 

Head coaches from Uganda, Morocco and Egypt were unanimous to describe Cape Verde a "tough team to play against."

CLEVIN  HANNAH

The 33-year-old point was a breath of fresh air, powering the Senegalese with his outstanding skillset.

Absent from the team since the FIBA AfroBasket 2017, Hannah was one of the main reasons Senegal easy past Angola, Kenya and Mozambique in the first three games of their quest to a place at FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

Hannah registered a joint tournament-high 7.7 assists while leading Senegal with a team-best 14 points per game.

MOHAMED HADIDANE

Years ago, Hadidane made international headlines for asking Kobe Bryant for an autograph after the game between Tunisia and USA at the London Olympics.

But the kind of player that Hadidane became for Tunisia in recent years is an extraordinary story.

Named to the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 All-Tournament team, the 34-year-old forward who counts two African titles under his belt, continues to fly the Tunisian flag higher and higher.

In Kigali, last week, Hadidane did a bit of everything for reigning African champions as he finished the three-game event with team-highs 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

ISHMAIL WAINWRIGHT 

A massive addition to the 'Silverbacks', Wainwright was the heart and soul of the Ugandans in Alexandria. 

At some in a post-game press conference Uganda head coach George Galanopoulos rightly called Wainwright as the team's best player.

Backed by sharpshooter Robinson Opong, the all-round 1.97m (6ft 5in) forward led Uganda with team-highs 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

And, in the process, the Ugandans enhanced their chances of securing one of Group E's three tickets, which ensure automatic qualification for the Final Round of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

EGYPT

No team shared the ball better than Egypt in the First Round of the Qualifiers with the 'Pharaohs' averaging a tournament-high 27.3 assists per game. 

It was joy watching such a beautiful ball movement involving the whole team in most ball possession.

Ehab Amin and Amr Gendy led the way with 4 and 3.7 assists each, while Anas Mahmoud made sure to protect the Egyptian paint with a Qualifiers-high three blocked shots per game.

FIBA