BENGUELA (Angola) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers is just around the corner and there are high expectations from the first-tier nations.

But the performances of teams like South Sudan, Kenya and Guinea at the AfroBasket 2021 to mention but a few leaves worry for the big teams because just anything is possible in the World Cup African Qualifiers.

Looking at the records of the 16 teams, many are made to believe the usual big nations will have a roller coaster ride but that might not be the case as we look at scenarios that could play up during the series.

ANGOLA

Angola played at the last five editions of FIBA Basketball World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 ) and that of 2019 in China where they finished 27th.

They had a strong performance in the previous African Qualifiers, winning 9-of-12 games. Their best World Cup finish was ninth in 2006, in Japan.

However, drawn against emerging nations like Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Central Africa Republic in Group C for the Qualifiers, the Angolans will need to be at their best to remain a top contender for a ticket to Indonesia, Japan and Philippines. 

Though, Angola have experienced mixed fortunes lately with most of their experienced players retiring, the 11-time gold medalist have been hit with a downward turn.

Guinea

The last time they won the AfroBasket title was back in 2013 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Since their second-place finish in 2015, the slide has seen them drop to 7th place in 2017 when Tunisia hosted and 5th place in the AfroBasket 2021 in Rwanda.

It is based on this slide that gives rise to the question of what if Guinea that is hoping to play at the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time upset the form books ahead of Angola. Recall that Guinea finished 8th place on the log at the AfroBasket 2021 recording an upset against Egypt at the Group Stage, Rwanda at the Qualification game for the Quarter-Final where they fell to Cote d' Ivoire.

Guinea played in the First Round of the previous African Qualifiers losing all 6 Games. The improved performance at the AfroBasket which saw the injection of players in America and Europe gives hope for the West African nation. 

If Angola fail to qualify, that would ring alarm bells about the future of basketball in a country that dominated the game on the continent and has experienced ups and downs recently.

TUNISIA

Reigning AfroBasket champions, Tunisia qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in 2010 and also played at the event in China two years ago, finishing 20th.

They won 10-of12 games in the last African Qualifiers and were among the first countries in the region to qualify. The North African side are in Group B of the Qualifiers alongside fast-rising South Sudan, Cameroon and Rwanda.

Tunisia had a wonderful run at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers winning 10 out of 12 games on their way to qualification.

At the AfroBasket 2021, Tunisia went 6-0 to lift their third title and looked good to have another strong run.

But what if their Group B opponents turn out to be the stumbling block on their path?

Cameroon vs Tunisia

Tunisia's Game Day 1 opponent Cameroon are yet to play at a FIBA Basketball World Cup. They played in the African Qualifiers 2019 and narrowly missed out on reaching the tournament.

Though the country recorded a poor outing at the AfroBasket 2021, the desire of playing at the FIBA World Cup could be a strong motivation this time around as such stop the ambitions of Tunisia.

South Sudan qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 and therefore has the opportunity to play in the African Qualifiers and attempt to qualify for the World Cup on their first try.

South Sudan vs Tunisia

Under the guidance of former NBA star, Luol Deng on when elected as President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation had promised to take basketball to the top, it was no surprise that South Sudan reached the Quarter-Finals of the AfroBasket 2021 where they lost to eventual winners Tunisia. Another opportunity to right the mistakes they made when last they faced when both sides met.

Rwanda have never made it to the World Cup, but they did reach the Second Round of the African Qualifiers 2019.

As host of the AfroBasket 2021, they finished 10th and fancy a renewed vigour to make an effort to change the fortunes of basketball in the country.

If Tunisia fail to qualify, it would be a shock-nose dive for basketball in that country going by the form of the team that is the reigning African champions.

SENEGAL

Senegal made their World Cup debut in 1998 and have played at the event four times - including three of the last four. They finished 30th at the World Cup in China and would be ready to make another attempt.

But with opponents like Kenya, Egypt and Congo DR in Group D with them, the task is not going to be easy.

DR Congo played in the African Qualifiers 2019 and finished fourth in their Group in the First Round of qualifiers.

"The Leopards" have yet to play at a World Cup but with 13th place at the AfroBasket 2021, they may well want to spring some surprises.

Egypt are seeking a fourth appearance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

They last took part in the 2014 World Cup in Spain and a return to the World stage cannot be ruled out. Egypt like Cameroon during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers back in 2019 finished with 19 points but their goals aggregate was not good enough to make them the best third-placed team from Africa to be in China.

East African side Kenya are chasing their first-ever appearance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"The Morans" are playing in the African Qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup after clinching a spot at the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

Kenya beat Africa's 11-time champion Angola 74–73 in the AfroBasket 2021 qualification in Yaounde, Cameroon, to book a place at the African tournament for the first time since 1993 where they finished 9th place with the efforts of Australian Liz Mills as head coach, who is the first female coach in the Morans' history.

She helped the team qualify for AfroBasket 2021, its first tournament in 18 years. Mills became the first female head coach to coach at an AfroBasket tournament. Mills could well perform another magic with the Morans.

No doubt, Senegal have got the manpower and resource to prosecute the Qualifiers but upsets will never cease in the game of basketball and if they fail to qualify, it would be a dent in the great facilities at the disposal of the Senegal Basketball Federation that has the best basketball facility courtesy of the NBA.

FIBA