LUANDA - MOÇÂMEDES (Angola) - After Groups C and D concluded their 2025 AfroBasket group phase campaigns on Saturday, attention shifted to the games of Groups A and B on Sunday in Luanda and Moçâmedes to determine who would stay in contention and who would be eliminated.
And there are some mouthwatering encounters awaiting fans from eight countries eager to see what the future holds for their countries in this year's AfroBasket.
Here's a look ahead on Sunday's actions in Luanda and Moçâmedes.
Tunisia vs. Madagascar, Sunday, August 17, 14:30 (GMT+1) - GROUP B
These two familiar opponents faced each other during the 2021 AfroBasket qualifiers.
Back then, Tunisia dominated Madagascar in their matchups. First, Tunisia won 89-52 in Kigali, and then they repeated their success in February 2021 with a 78-51 win on home soil.
Heading into Sunday's matchup, both Tunisia and Madagascar are winless after playing two games each, making this a do-or-die clash.
A quick comparison of the two teams' performances reveals more similarities than differences, particularly in terms of points averaged per game.
Madagascar averaged 68 points per game, while Tunisia scored 65.5. Both teams lost to Nigeria and Cameroon.
Omar Abada is Tunisia's go-to guy, averaging 13 points per game, while Sitraka Raharimanantoanina has been Madagascar's most impactful player, averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds per game.
The losing team will be eliminated with a 0–3 record, while the winner will advance to the Classification Round for the Quarterfinals to face the team that finishes second in Group A.
Cape Verde vs. Rwanda, Sunday, August 17, 16:00 (GMT+1) - GROUP A
Over the years, Cape Verde and Rwanda have faced each other three times, with Cape Verde holding a 2-1 head-to-head advantage dating back to the 2007 AfroBasket in Angola.
The last time they faced off was in the 2021 African Championship, where Cape Verde beat host Rwanda 82-74 in the Group Phase.
While Cape Verde narrowly lost to Côte d'Ivoire in their last Group A game in Moçâmedes but won one game, Rwanda lost both of their games to Côte d'Ivoire and DR Congo by single digits.
Cape Verde averaged 78 points per game, while Rwanda was limited to 64.
Edy Tavares, Ivan Almeida, Will Tavares, and Betinho Gomes have been the soul and heart of the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, delivering inspiring performances.
Meanwhile, Note Habimana and William Robeyns have emerged as Rwanda's main offensive weapons.
If Rwanda loses to Cape Verde, they will be eliminated with a 0–3 record.
Conversely, if Cape Verde beats Rwanda, they will have to wait for the outcome of the final Group A game between Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to determine their final standing.
Nigeria vs. Cameroon, Sunday, August 17, 17:30 (GMT+1) - GROUP B
This is a matchup between the only two undefeated teams in Group B. Due to the quality of some of their players, it's been ranked as one of the most highly anticipated games of the tournament.
They have historically faced each other at AfroBasket three times, with D'Tigers holding a 2–1 head-to-head advantage in the tournament.
Their most memorable encounter occurred in the 2009 tournament when Cameroon eliminated Nigeria's star-studded team 84–80 in the quarterfinals in Libya.
Fast forward to August 2025, and Cameroon and Nigeria have many similarities.
Both won their first two games in Group B, and Cameroon emerged as the second-highest scoring team, averaging 83 points per game, compared to Nigeria's 82.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon rebound relatively better than Nigeria, with 46 boards per game compared to Nigeria's 42.5.
Neither team significantly surpasses the other in any particular aspect of the game.
The winner of this clash will win their group and automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, while the loser will finish second and take on the third-place team from Group A.
Cote d'Ivoire vs. DR Congo, Sunday, August 17, 19:00 (GMT+1) - GROUP A
All Côte d'Ivoire needs is one more win to automatically advance to the quarterfinals. They defeated Rwanda and Cape Verde early in Group A before taking on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in one of the most anticipated games of the tournament.
It will be the first time DR Congo and Côte d'Ivoire have faced off since the 2017 tournament in Tunisia. In that tournament, DR Congo won 81–60.
This is a must-win clash for both teams to improve their chances of winning the group.
FIBA