ABIDJAN/ALEXANDRIA/KIGALI - By Sunday, July 3, we'll have fond out which 12 national teams have advanced to the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers.

But before that, the 16 teams - divided into four groups of four teams - will take to the court on Friday, July 1 for their first games of Window 3 of the African Qualifiers.

The 24 games mark the Second Round of Groups A (Kigali), B (Kigali), C (Abidjan) and D (Alexandria).

There will be a number of mouthwatering games on Friday.

Tavares v Metu - an unmissable Cape Verde v Nigeria matchup

In Friday's first game, Nigeria (2-1) will seek their third straight win in the group when they take on Cape Verde (1-2).

Surprisingly or maybe not, Cape Verde enjoy a 2-0 head-to-head advantage against Nigeria dating back to 2013.

Before upsetting the No.1 team in Africa last November in Angola, Cape Verde - then coached by Nigerian Alex Nwora - beat Nigeria 79-76 in the Classification Round of the 2013 AfroBasket in Abidjan. 

Recently named MVP of the 2022 ACB Finals with Real Madrid, Walter Tavares is set for his African Qualifiers debut. Last September the 2.21m (7ft 3in) center inspired his country to the semifinals of the AfroBasket.

 
Just like Tavares, Sacramento Kings forward Chimezie Metu is making his debut in the tournament.

Metu, who is on his third NBA season, has been a massive addition to the D'Tigers in recent times. 

Who doesn't remember Metu's impact at 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup?

 
Gorgui v Mahmoud - a matchup of two Louisville alumnus.

Later in the day, in Alexandria, hosts Egypt will go up against Senegal, in the highly anticipated game of Group D.

It's not just Egypt and Senegal that have a historic in African basketball. Two of their stars have something in common too.

Anas Mahmoud has been Egypt's most impactful players in the African Qualifiers so far, but he is yet to face Gorgui Dieng, who last played for the Atlanta Hawks.

Both Mahmoud and Dieng played under legendary coach Rick Pitino at Louisville although in separate seasons. And the two are their team's go-to man. Get ready for a titanic battle in the paint.

The last time these two teams faced off in Dakar last February, Senegal trounced the visitors 75-57. 

Both Egypt and Senegal are 2-1 heading to Friday's games, but the winner will boost their chances of advancing to the Second Round.

Two former champions to face off in supremacy for Group C

Right at the start of this edition of the African Qualifiers in November 2021, Cote d'Ivoire achieved what no other team in Africa was ever able to. 

The Elephants's 57-56 in Group C was Angola's first-ever defeat on home soil. 

Now, the Ivorians will try to do what the Angolans couldn't: To protect their home-court. 

Only the teams that finish in the Top 3 places of each group advance to the next round, where they will be divided into two groups (E and F) of six teams each.

As it stands the African Qualifiers is anyone's game, but which players will make the most impact in Window 3 of the African Qualifiers' Second Round?

For more information on HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES, click here.

FIBA