SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - The third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers offered a bit of everything thanks to a number of highly-talented players involved in it.

From upsets, buzzer beater shots, and some spectacular plays, I saw it all.   

Over the course of three days, Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Lagos (Nigeria), and Rades (Tunisia) saw 16 national teams battling for a spot in the Second Round of the African Qualifiers. While 12 teams still remain in contention for the five spots on offer for Africa for next year's World Cup in China, four other teams were eliminated.

So, I thought I should pick my top five players from the third window of the African Qualifiers.

Kendal Manuel (Mozambique)Stats: 21.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists.

His name may not be familiar to African basketball followers, but that hasn't prevented this 6ft4in (1.95m) guard from making a splash in Dakar, averaging a tournament-high 21.5 points per game. 

A standout at Oregon State University, Manuel became the scoring prowess that Mozambique needed although they fell short to advance.

He has scored 100% of his attempted free-throws. The 20-year-old has made all his 15 shots from the line.

Jordan Nwora (Nigeria)Stats: 21.7, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.

In his first appearance for Nigeria, the 19-year-old forward did a bit of everything for his country. From protecting the basket to scoring, Nwora won the heart of Nigerians thanks to his average of team-highs 21.7 points and eight rebounds per game.  

In the process, the 6ft7in (2.00m) set a new record for most scored points by a Nigerian at a major tournament, overcoming Chamberlain Oguchi's 35 points at 2012 London Olympics.

His performances prompted Ike Diogu (Nigeria's 34-year-old captain) to admit that the future of Nigeria's basketball is in good hands.  

Gorgui Dieng (Senegal)Stats: 15 points, nine rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

Dieng leads by example. Regardless of any managerial issues, the 28-year-old loves playing for his country, and that makes him a hero back in Senegal. After missing out the first-leg of Group D last February in Maputo due to his commitment with the NBA franchise Minnesota Timberwolves, Dieng made sure to return last week.

Needless to say that his presence ignited Senegal to a 3-0 record and a deserved spot in the Second Round. 

Michael Koibe (Chad)Stats: 19.6 points, 5 rebounds, 42% FG 

A 24-point haulage against a defense-minded Cameroon team reminded how dominant this 6ft7in (2.01m) forward can be. Koibe - along with Placide Nakidjim - propelled their country into the next round. Chad may be the lowest-ranked in the Second Round, but with a player like Koibe in their ranks, anything is possible.

Omar Oraby (Egypt)Stats in last three games: 13 points, 63% FG

Along with Chad's Placide Nakidjim, Egypt's seven-footer center Omar Oraby were the only players to have finished the first round with 50+ points and 50+ rebounds in the African Qualifiers.

While these were the players that stood out to me, it's fair to say that a few more players made a splash in the third window, and I hope to highlight their performances over the next few weeks.

Julio Chitunda
FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.