DAKAR (Senegal) - Three months since the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers in Benguela, the competition is back this week in Dakar with many more reasons to get excited about it.

After eight teams from Groups A and C tipped off the race for next year's World Cup in Indonesia, Japan and Philippines, it's now time for another eight teams from Groups B and D to get started in the race for the five tickets available for African countries.

From February 25-27, Dakar will be home to some of African basketball royalty, and here are some reasons to follow it closely.

SENEGAL'S HOME RECORD 

There's no memory of Senegal losing an official home game in recent years. Can they protect their 9-0 home court since early 2017?

It's possible that Senegal can become the second team - after Cote d'Ivoire - in these African Qualifiers to win their first three games.

A quick look into the history books, and facts show that Senegal beat Cape Verde, Guinea and Mali in Dakar in the second round of the 2017 AfroBasket Qualifiers.

Picked as a last-minute co-host - with Tunisia - for the African Championship - following the withdrawal of original hosts Republic of Congo - Senegal were ruthless in the Group Phase of the 2017 AfroBasket, dismantling Egypt, Mozambique and South Africa.

 
A year later during Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal prevailed against Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique and Central African Republic to improve their home record to 9-0 ahead of this week's African Qualifiers. 

TUNISIA HAVEN'T TASTED DEFEAT ON AFRICAN SOIL SINCE 2018

Tunisia may have experienced some tough days elsewhere, but the reigning African champions reign supreme on the continent of Africa.

Although the new kings of African basketball lost to Lebanon last week in the final of the 2022 Arab Cup, they head to Dakar as favorites in Group B, but it's up to Cameroon, Rwanda, and South Sudan to say if the Tunisians can remain as dominants.

Tunisia qualified for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup with a 10-2 record

Tunisia's last defeat on African soil happened in the last window of the 2019 African Qualifiers in Luanda when they were already qualified for the World Cup in China. At the time, Tunisia lost to host Angola and Egypt.

NEW TALENTS COMING UP 

One of the best things about this mid-season international competition is the opportunity for new talents to make their talents known. 

It was in the 2019 edition of the tournament that Nigeria's Jordan Nwora, a relatively unknown player for some, made his introduction in style, establishing a record for most points scored (36) in a single game that remains unbroken so far. 

Assemian Moulare had his best experience with Cote d'Ivoire in Window 1 of the African Qualifiers in November 2021

Three months ago, newcomers Shannon Evans (Guinea), Assemian Moulare (Cote d'Ivoire), Teotonio Do (Angola) proved valuable assets to their national teams.

It wouldn't be a surprise if some more new talents leave their mark in Dakar this week.

SOUTH SUDAN

Quarter-Finalist in their first AfroBasket appearance last August-September in Kigali. They climbed to No.14 in Africa in the latest FIBA World Ranking.

To ask how far the South Sudanese can go in African basketball scene is a recurrent question.

However, what can a team with a huge basketball community in diaspora do for their country?

A lot, they often say, because they believe to be among the African basketball elite.   

DAKAR ARENA

Senegal early this month won their first-ever African Cup of Nations in Football. Celebrations about the historic continue to rave the country, and with African Qualifiers coming up this week, there are expectations of huge celebrations at Dakar Arena.

There is a reason why Senegal fans are often branded as some of the best in African basketball scene.

Let's not forget that this will be Senegal men's team first official competition at Dakar Arena.

CAMEROON'S AFRICAN QUALIFIERS CAMPAIGN KEY TO ATTRACT NBA STARS

Cameroon's campaign in the African Qualifiers campaign three years ago prompted questions about the addition of the country's NBA stars Joel Embiid and Paskal Siakam. 

Pascal Siakam has expressed interest in representing in his native Cameroon at some point

Had Cameroon qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, source maintain that both Embiid and Siakam would have suited up for their country for the first time.

Guess what? That very question remains intact. 

CHEIKH SARR RETURNS HOME

He coached Senegal's men's and women's national teams in the world cup, but he's now at the helm of Rwanda.

Although Rwanda won't play Senegal, it remains to be seen how local fans will treat one of their own. 

WHAT NOW, EGYPT? 

Over the past few years, the US became Egypt's favoured basketball destination with half of the current team having experienced US College programs.

Egypt's current squad is unquestionably talented and competitive, but a disastrous campaing at 2021 AfroBasket, where they failed to advance to the Quarter-Finals, the inevitable question is, What Now, Egypt? 

Members of the current squad, such as the likes Ehab Amin, and Amr Gendy, have powered Egypt to a number FIBA U18 African Championships titles, but winning at senior level continues to prove challenging. 

Can Dakar be the starting point for this generation to exploit their real talent?   

WHO WILL REPRESENT AFRICA IN INDONESIA, JAPAN AND PHILIPPINES?

Only a few national teams have represented Africa at FIBA Basketball World Cup World Cup over the last two decades.

The following teams have represented Africa at World Cup over the last five editions of the tournament: Algeria, Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia.

The Angolans are the only African team to have featured at the last five editions of the World Cup since 2002

FIBA's New Competition System gave Africa two more spots (5). 

The 2023 African Qualifiers may just be the beginning of new era for African teams to represent the continent on the big stage.

DR CONGO

The Congolese team has become a bit unpredictable in recent time. They can either shock heavyweight teams or see their chances slip through their fingers. 

One thing is certain though. This team cannot be underestimated.

CAN THE NEW COACHES MAKE A DIFFERENCE? 

It's never easy to take the reigns of a team in such a short period of time, and make a big difference.

DR Congo appointed Thomas Drouot as head coach and Cameroon have reportedly hired Sacha Giffa to lead the team in Dakar. Both are expected to debut in African basketball. 

Giffa is expected to count on assistant coach Alfred Aboya who played for his native Cameroon  from 2007 to 2011.

Follow all the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers campaign action HERE.

FIBA