RADES (Tunisia) - From dominant figures in the paint, exceptional shooters, electrifying guards to terrific defenders, this is what the list of 10 must-watch players in the 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers is all about.
Over three gamedays, these prolific stars will be the focus of the first eight national teams competing for the five tickets on offer for African teams at the 2027 Qatar World Cup.
Here are 10 players to watch:
Deng Acuoth - SSD
Position: Center Age: 29 Height: 210 cm / 6'11"
Acuoth is an intimidating figure in the paint and his return to the Bright Stars adds significant value to a team that underperformed at the 2025 AfroBasket.
Acuoth has been an integral part of the South Sudanese team that rose from the ashes to become the current No. 1 in Africa.
While he may not be the best free-throw shooter in the world, when it comes to dominating the paint at both ends of the court, Acuoth rises to the occasion.
Dieudonne Ndizeye - RWA
Position: Center Age: 30 Height: 201 cm / 6'7"
Imagine a left-handed, agile small forward who can shoot from outside and contribute stoically on the defensive end. That is Ndizeye, one of the most intriguing players in the opening window of the World Cup African Qualifiers.
He has become a household name thanks to his successful club career and his contribution to Rwanda's rise in the African basketball scene.
Jeremiah Hill - CMR
Position: Point Guard Age: 30 Height: 190 cm / 6'3"
Can we really talk about recent times in Cameroon's basketball without mentioning Jeremiah Hill? Probably not. Since his debut for the Indomitable Lions at the 2023 World Cup Africa Qualifiers, Hill has made an instant impact.
His influence on the team has grown steadily, establishing him as Cameroon's primary scoring and playmaking option.
In his two years with Cameroon, Hill increased his scoring average from 12 to 16 points per game. Even when his fitness was questionable at the 2025 AfroBasket, Hill was an inspiration for Cameroon, delivering jaw-dropping performances.
Mohamed Sadi - LBA
Position: Guard/Forward Age: 30 Height: 195 cm / 6'5"
Relatively unknown a couple of years ago, Mohamed Sadi has become the face of modern Libyan basketball.
He was the driving force behind the Libyan team during the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers. He was the first player in the history of the qualifiers or any other major African tournament to record a triple-double. He achieved this during Libya's 89–82 overtime win against Nigeria.
Having won the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) with Al Ahly Tripoli, Sadi is returning to play for Libya after missing the 2025 AfroBasket tournament.
He excels at both ends of the court.
Oussama Marnaoui - TUN
Position: Small Forward Age: 26 Height: 196 cm / 6'5"
Following the retirements of Makram Ben Romdhane, Salah Mejri and Radhouane Slimane from the national team, Oussama Marnaoui seized his chance to become one of Tunisia's most influential players.
A highly athletic small forward, Marnaoui usually attacks the rim with ferocity and has a talent for shooting from outside.
He is one of the players that coach Adel Tlatli can rely on as Tunisia begins its quest for a place at the 2027 Qatar World Cup.
Marnaoui has won both the 2021 AfroBasket and the 2022 Basketball Africa League.
Ousmane Drame - GUI
Position: Center Age: 33 Height: 206 cm / 6'9"
Ousmane Dramé is a left-handed centre with an impressive ability to perform well at both ends of the court.
Along with Cheick Conde, he is one of Guinea's key inside players, that coach Nedeljko Asceric will be trying to beat familiar opponents Tunisia, Rwanda, and Nigeria in Group C.
Drame is a formidable presence on the defensive end and can sink some lethal shots on the offensive end.
Ike Nwamu - NGR
Position: Guard Age: 32 Height: 194cm / 6'4"
Along with AfroBasket champion Stan Okoye, Ike Nwamu is the second most veteran player on Nigeria's current roster, and he brings much-needed leadership to the D'Tigers.
An aggressive defender and clinical offensive player, Tokyo Olympian Nwamu played a pivotal role in helping Nigeria recover from 0–3 in the first round of the last AfroBasket qualifiers to 3–3 in the second, which saw the former African champions advance to the 2025 African Championship.
Omar Abada - TUN
Position: Guard Age: 32 Height: 189cm / 6'2"
A genuine floor general and two-time AfroBasket champion, Abada has been Tunisia's go-to guy in recent times.
With a storied national team career spanning over a decade, Abada averaged 13 crucial points and 5 assists during Tunisia's 2021 AfroBasket campaign.
Abada is often vocal when the former African champions appear directionless, and he often provides answers to Tunisia's problems.
Shannon Evans - GUI
Position: Point Guard Age: 31 Height: 180cm / 5'11"
Ever since Shannon Evans made his debut for the Guinean national team in the 2023 World Cup African qualifiers, he has been an instant game-changer on a number of occasions.
A fast attacker of the rim with exceptional ball-handling skills and the ability to create shots for others, Evans arrives in Tunisia as Guinea's go-to guy.
His impact on the Guinean team is reflected in his career averages of 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
Ivan Almeida - CPV
Position: Guard/Forward Age: 36 Height: 198cm / 6'6"
Having served on the national team for almost two decades, Ivan Almeida has become one of the islanders' key players, alongside Real Madrid centre Edy Tavares.
Almeida poses a constant threat to defenders thanks to his ability to attack the rim and shoot, but it's his all-round skill that makes him worth watching.
NOTE: Nasseim Badrush (centre of main image) was removed from the top 10 players to watch due to undisclosed decisions made by the team.
FIBA