FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 Power Ranking: Watch out, the Egyptians are coming
ABIDJAN (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) - Every week leading up to FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 taking place from August 18-27 our editors will be ranking the 12 national teams bound for Bamako, Mali, based on their respective rosters and preparations for the Championship.
RANK |
NATION |
MOVE |
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1 |
 |
 |
Over the weekend, the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017 hosts Mali travelled to Abidjan to play their first scrimmage against a Bamako bound contender. They not only outplayed Cote d'Ivoire in the two-game series, but they made a statement of their intentions. |
2 |
 |
 +1 |
Nigerians have never been short of self-confidence. Now that the team has come together in Abuja, the D'Tigeress begin roaring as a team. Although the final roster is yet to be confirmed, they are likely to keep the core of the team that claimed a Third-Place two years ago. |
3 |
 |
 -1 |
The African reigning champions have returned home after a two-week training camp in Paris and Amsterdam. In the process, they lost to Germany and Holland (game 1), but prevailed against the latter on the final day of preparations in Amsterdam. |
4 |
 |
+2 |
Although Angola lost their two games against Brazil last week in Sao Paulo, head coach Jaime Covilha insisted the team is finding their rhythm for the Bamako showpiece. |
5 |
 |
+2 |
As we write, Egypt have won all their 2017 three Arab Championship games in their capital of Cairo. They have beaten Jordan, Iraq before upsetting Bamako bound Tunisia 65-60. Watch out, the Egyptians are growing steadily. |
6 |
 |
-1 |
Like most teams bounding for Bamako, Mozambique's lack of stiff opposition during the preparations starts to become alarming. After all, this is a team aiming high. |
7 |
 |
-3 |
Both Pauline Akonga and Mireille Muganza - two of the most talented and experienced DR Congo players - should have joined the team by now. Their absence starts to raise more questions than answers. |
8 |
 |
+1 |
With only four players transitioning from the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015, the Cameroonians are set to show up in Bamako with a rejuvenated team. Currently holding a training camp in Abidjan, it remains to be seen if they can build on the team's chemistry before August 18. |
9 |
 |
|
No meaningful preparation games could hinder Guinea's aspirations in Bamako. |
10 |
 |
|
The Tunisians have forced Egypt to step up in their head-to-head last week in Cairo. As we write, it remains to be seen whether they can bounce back during the Final Phase of the 2017 Arab Championship.
|
11 |
 |
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Although Cote d'Ivoire lost their two warm-up games against Mali in their capital city of Abidjan, the good news for Simon Guillou's team is the arrival of prolific scorer Kani Kouyate. |
12 |
 |
|
Almost three weeks in training camp, the Central Africans have faced youth male teams. |
*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.
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