ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - From African champions and players with successful global careers to newcomers looking to make an impact and help their countries secure a spot in the 2027 Qatar World Cup, the next 24 games will feature plenty of game-changers.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the African World Cup Qualifiers, here are some players to keep a close eye on.
Brancou Badio
GUARD
Date of Birth: February 17, 1999 Height: 191 cm / 6'3" Club: Valencia Basket Club
Badio is probably experiencing the best moment of his career. He is heading to Senegal's national team for the third round of World Cup qualifiers, just a few weeks after winning his first ACB title with Valencia.
After missing Senegal's opening loss to Côte d'Ivoire in Group B during the first round in February, Badio played in the remaining two games against the DR Congo and Madagascar. He led his country with team highs of 20.5 points, six assists, and three steals per game. He is a true floor general for Senegal.
Aliou Diarra
CENTER
Date of Birth: December 31, 2001 Height: 208 cm / 6'10" Club: Virtus Segafredo Bologna
Few saw it coming, but when Aliou Diarra delivered stellar performances in his Basketball Africa League debut in 2023, he instantly became a star, and is now considered one of the finest players in modern-day Mali.
The two-time BAL Defensive Player of the Year made his European basketball debut with Virtus Bologna in the recently concluded season but sat out the opening round of Group D in Alexandria last February. His return represents a major boost for Mali's Eagles on both ends of the floor.
Childe Dundao
POINT GUARD
Date of Birth: May 17, 1998 Height: 167 cm / 5'6" Club: Petro de Luanda
Small in stature but big-hearted, Childe Dundao is the most prominent Angolan player in recent times.
The reigning AfroBasket Most Valuable Player played a valuable role in helping Angola finish the first round of Group D with a 2-1 record, averaging 16 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals per game.
One week before the third window of the World Cup Qualifiers began, Dundao accepted an offer to join Portuguese champions FC Porto, who will compete in the 2026 FIBA Champions League.
Jeremiah Hill
GUARD
Date of Birth: September 4, 1995 Height: 190 cm / 6'3" Club: Elan Chalon
Hill is undoubtedly the do-it-all guy for the Indomitable Lions. This was proven in Cameroon's first three games in the first round of Group A, in which he led the Central African country to a 2–1 win–loss record in Rades, Tunisia, last November.
Hill, primarily a point guard, leads Cameroon in efficiency (16), points (13), assists (6), and steals (2) per game.
Kevin Yebo
FORWARD
Date of Birth: March 14, 1996 Height: 207 cm / 6'9" Club: Niners Chemnitz
Yebo's Côte d'Ivoire debut could not have been more impactful than leading the Elephants to a 3-0 victory in the first round of Group B.
With 12 points and 22 minutes per game — the second highest on the team — he is clearly a player to be reckoned with in Coach Ramos's rotation.
Wenyen Gabriel
POWER FORWARD
Date of Birth: March 26, 1997 Height: 208 cm / 6'10" Club: FC Bayern München
Gabriel, one of the Bright Stars of South Sudan's highest-profile players, last played for his country during the 2025 AfroBasket. The No. 1 team in Africa finished a disappointing tenth out of sixteen teams.
His return could boost the team, which had a decent first-round campaign (2-1), especially given his ability to dominate the inside game.
Omar Abada
POINT GUARD
Date of Birth: April 20, 1993 Height: 189 cm / 6'2" Club: Club Africain
Some critics rank Abada among the best point guards on the continent, mainly due to his exceptional ball-handling, scoring from inside and outside the paint, game-reading, and leadership skills.
Abada was instrumental for the Eagles of Carthage in the first round of Group C, which took place on home soil last November. Veteran coach Adel Tlatli hopes Abada will help the former African champions remain in contention for one of the five World Cup tickets available to African teams.
Three games into the World Cup qualifiers, Abada is leading Tunisia with averages of 19 points and six assists per game. Tunisia are currently 2-1 in Group C.
Ehab Amin
GUARD
Date of Birth: August 1, 1995 Height: 192 cm / 6'3" Club: Al Ahly SC
Amin is a terrific defender who can contribute greatly on offense.
He didn't show his best in Egypt's 83-72 loss to Angola. He fouled out in the second quarter after picking up a second unsportsmanlike foul.
However, he bounced back with a 15-point performance in Egypt's 91-52 win over Uganda, proving that the frustrating night would not stain his reputation as a game-changer.
Chimezie Metu
POWER FORWARD
Date of Birth: March 22 1, 1997 Height: 211 cm / 6'11" Club: Dreamland Gran Canaria
Metu last played for the D'Tigers in the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament on home soil almost two years ago.
Nigerian fans hoped he would play in the 2025 AfroBasket, but he did not show up.
Now, the former NBA player, who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, is set to return just as his country needs to improve upon their 1–2 record from the first round.
Ivan Almeida
SMALL FORWARD
Date of Birth: May 10, 1989 Height: 200 cm / 6'6" Club: GTK Gliwice
Almeida has represented his country for over a decade. Whether it's a major or minor event, he rarely turns down a call-up from the Blue Sharks.
Along with seven-footer Edy Tavares, Almeida — a small forward who can run offensive plays — has helped put Cape Verde on the international basketball map.
In the current World Cup Qualifiers campaign, Almeida is the go-to guy for Cape Verde, averaging team highs in efficiency (17), points (16), rebounds (8), blocks (2), and playing time (33) per game.
The islanders share the top of Group A with South Sudan and Cameroon, all with a 2-1 record.
Sekou Doumbouya
SMALL FORWARD
Date of Birth: December 23, 2000 Height: 202 cm / 6'8" Club: Sagesse SC
Guinea received a major boost with the arrival of Doumbouya, who started his international career with the French youth teams before making it to the NBA, where he was a first-round pick in 2019 by the Detroit Pistons.
A 6-foot-8 power forward, Doumbouya's addition to Guinea's roster could solidify their progress, especially if Alpha Diallo, Mamadi Diakite, Shannon Evans, and Souleymane Boum Jr. are available to protect their 3-0 undefeated record.
Tacko Fall
CENTER
Date of Birth: December 10, 1995 Height: 226 cm / 7'5" Club: Ningbo Rockets
All eyes are on Fall, the big fella set to make his official debut with the Senegalese national team.
Fall is a decent rim protector and an intimidating presence in the paint. He adds even more rebounding value to a team that ranks third with 49 boards per game.
Assem Marei
POWER FORWARD
Date of Birth: June 16, 1992 Height: 206 cm / 6'9" Club: Changwon LG Sakers
Imagine an inside player with a lethal floater and exceptional passing ability, and you will find Marei.
In addition to averaging 9 points per game, he led Egypt in rebounds (7) and assists (3.5) in the first round of Group D.
Bruno Fernando
POWER FORWARD
Date of Birth: August 15, 1998 Height: 206 cm / 6'9" Club: KK Radnicki
Fernando is the first Angolan player to make it to the NBA and a key piece in Angola's recent resurgence.
A dominant presence in the paint and a vocal leader, Almeida could be pivotal for the twelve-time African champions on defense, offense, and even on the bench when needed.
Mohamed Sadi
GUARD-SMALL FORWARD
Date of Birth: May 8, 1995 Height: 194 cm / 6'4" Club: Al Ittihad LYB
He's a natural leader! That's the best way to describe Mohamed Sadi and his role on the Libyan team.
An exceptional defender, Sadi also excels on offense, particularly with his lethal three-point shooting ability.
Ike Iroegbu
GUARD
Date of Birth: March 15, 1995 Height: 188 cm / 6'2" Club: Pallacanestro Varese
A quick search of D'Tigers' recent performances reveals that fans often wonder about Ike Iroegbu's whereabouts, as he hasn't played for his country since helping Nigeria qualify for the 2021 AfroBasket tournament.
The good news is that the speedy playmaker, who can attack the rim with ferocity despite his relatively short height, is one of the players Nigeria called on to help relaunch their World Cup aspirations.
Siriman Kanoute
POINT GUARD
Date of Birth: September 25, 2001 Height: 180 cm / 6'0" Club: Stade Rochelais
Die-hard fans of FIBA Africa basketball know what Kanouté is made of all too well.
Now, at 24 years old, Kanoute has confirmed the predictions of his stellar youth career. When Mali needed him most in the first round of Group D, he responded with record-breaking performances.
He currently leads all players with 11 assists and 24 points per game.
Kanouté is one of four players — along with Oumar Ballo, David McCormack, and Nike Sibande — to record two double-doubles in three games.
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