PRETORIA (South Africa) - Cameroon has made a name for itself in world basketball, but the question on everyone's lips is how far the country, which has some of the most talented players on the continent, can go in the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament.
After stunning Senegal in the 2023 FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament final in Nigeria, Cameroon finished 1–2 in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia, beating Brazil before concluding the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers with a 4–2 record.
We want to avenge ourselves and correct history and win that trophy. That is the mantra - Alfred Aboya
This remarkable progress has occurred under the leadership of head coach Alfred Aboya, a former Cameroonian national team player.
Aboya is the best person to shed light on the team's ambitions and potential.
During his time at UCLA in the early 2000s, Aboya and his fellow Cameroonian, Luc Mbah a Moute, were known as the "Cameroon Crazy.".
FIBA.basketball sat down with Aboya during the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals in Pretoria, South Africa, earlier this month.
While the 4–2 AfroBasket qualifier record is positive, Aboya believes there is still much to do to prepare for the AfroBasket tournament, which will be held in Luanda and Namibe, Angola (12-24 August).
"What I can take away from the qualifiers is that we have work to do," the 40-year-old admitted.
"What we have established is that we are at a good level. We still need to work to reach and pass the level of big-time African basketball teams like South Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal.
"The two defeats we got came at the hands of Senegal. It tells us that we still have some things that need correcting to compete with those teams.
"We showed signs of growth because we competed hard against Senegal in those qualifiers. Our team learned and grew from that experience. Next time, Cameroon will be a better team, if we meet Senegal again."
While Aboya noted the challenges in the qualifiers for this year's AfroBasket, it seems Cameroon may be in a much trickier Group B, which includes three-time champions Tunisia, 2015 AfroBasket winners Nigeria and a Madagascar team that can punch above its weight.
What are Aboya's thoughts on Group B?
"We are in a tough group. Tunisia are the defending champion, and they have been one of the most consistent teams over the past few years. Their victory at the last AfroBasket shows that. Nigeria has a lot of players at the NBA level. If those players join the team, then they will be the favourite," said Aboya.
"Madagascar is growing each year. I played in the 2011 AfroBasket in that country, and since then, they have improved.
"So, this is a high-level group. Nothing will be given or guaranteed. We will fight to get to the second round, but I am confident that we will be up for the challenge."
Angola was the setting where Cameroon achieved its best result in the AfroBasket, winning silver in 2007. While speaking measuredly, he also stated the intention was for the Lions to win the continental tournament.
"It is interesting that we are back in Angola. We were finalists in 2007. Hopefully, we will be back again this year.
"It will not be an easy road, but we are confident. We will work, train and take it one game at a time. We are taking a one-game-at-a-time approach and focus on the team that is in front of us," said Aboya.
"We want to avenge ourselves and correct history and win that trophy. That is the mantra. To get there, as I said... We are taking it game by game to reach our goal."
Aboya, who played in three AfroBasket tournaments, says the players selected for the tournament in Angola have the opportunity to show what Cameroon basketball is made of.
"Experiences are different. Yes, I played in three AfroBaskets, and each one was different. For the players, each one has to learn as they go," said Aboya.
"The group has been solid. We have been together for a little while now. We have participated in World Cup Qualifiers and Olympic Qualifiers, so the nucleus of the group is pretty solid.
"So this AfroBasket is an opportunity for them to show their worth. It is also a chance for them to show that Cameroon basketball is here, here to compete and be among the great nations of African basketball."
Judging by their recent performances, Cameroon is a team that can't be ruled out at the upcoming African Championship in Angola from August.
FIBA