LUANDA - NAMIBE (Angola) - With the quadrennial African Championship just around the corner, we bring you the latest news on how the 16 participating teams are preparing. Some of the teams held training camps in different parts of the globe.
The 2025 AfroBasket will take place in the Angolan cities of Luanda and Namibe from 12-24 August.
LIBYA
A few days after losing 71-65 to Rwanda in a scrimmage in Kigali, Libya announced the selection of former Portland Trail Blazers player Kilgen Blevin as their naturalised player. This was the team’s first warm-up game under Sam Vincent. Vincent replaced Fouad Abou Chacra as the Libyan team's head coach. Libya fell short to Rwanda 79-75 in their second preparation game. Team captain Mohamed Sadi, an influential player for the Libyans was not part of the team's preparation in Kigali. Sadi later told FIBA.basketball that he is out due to an injury.
RWANDA
After leading Rwanda at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from July 26 to August 3, Cheikh Sarr took charge of the Rwandan men’s team for the AfroBasket. Prior to Sarr’s arrival, assistant coaches Yves Murenzi and Kenneth Gasana, a former Rwandan international player, led the team's training camp at the Petit Stade gymnasium in Kigali. The Rwandans prevailed 79-75 in their second scrimmage.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Côte d'Ivoire released a 14-man preliminary roster. The roster kept the core of the team that finished 6-0 in the qualifiers but also included seven-footer Mo Bamba. Bamba has had an extensive NBA career with several teams, including the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. The 27-year-old center has long expressed his willingness to represent Côte d'Ivoire, and now a huge opportunity presents itself. The Ivorians played warm-up games against Egypt, Madagascar (winning 86–55), Chile, Senegal, and Spain.
DR CONGO
The winners of Group A of the qualifiers with a 5-1 record, was the first team to arrive in Angola on July 21. They spent most of their training camp in Luanda after brief training sessions in their capital, Kinshasa. The Congolese received a major boost with the arrival of playmaker John Jordan, who played for FUS Rabat in the last two Basketball Africa League (BAL) editions. Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga was yet to join the team.
CAPE VERDE
Cape Verde received a major boost with the arrival of Real Madrid center Edy Tavares, who joined the team's training camp in Luanda, Angola. The Blue Sharks held brief training camps in Paris and Rio Maior, Portugal, before heading to Angola, where they arrived on July 30 to finish their training camp.
NIGERIA
Two of Nigeria’s most impactful players in the second round of qualifiers, Caleb Agada and Ike Nwamu, finally joined the D’Tigers’ training camp.
EGYPT
In addition to welcoming Spain-born Ismail Massoud, a former star at George Town University, the Pharaohs recorded two wins, beating a Russia select team 80–73 and Côte d'Ivoire 71–70.
TUNISIA
Tunisia won their last game in the 2025 Arab Championship against Qatar, beating them 79-72 in Bahrain. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the reigning AfroBasket champions finished with a 5–1 record, thanks to wins over Egypt (Olympic team, 85–73), the United Arab Emirates (78–70), Bahrain (97–86), and Kuwait (86–61). However, they lost to Algeria (86–81) on the opening day of the 2025 Arab Championship.
MADAGASCAR
Madagascar announced the hiring of John Douaglin as their head coach for the 2025 AfroBasket tournament. Prior to leading Côte d'Ivoire to a 3-0 record in the first round of the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers, Douaglin briefly coached the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African qualifiers. He also served as assistant coach for Côte d'Ivoire at the 2009 FIBA AfroBasket, where the "Elephants" finished second. Madagascar lost 86-55 to Côte d'Ivoire in a friendly game in Paris, France.
CAMEROON
As they continue preparing for AfroBasket, the Indomitable Lions outclassed Mali 80-64. New Orleans Pelicans star Yves Missi finally joined the team's training camp in Istanbul, Turkey. Meanwhile, it has been announced that Ulrich Chomche, a former NBA Academy Africa player and current Toronto Raptor, might not join the team.
SOUTH SUDAN
Not much information has been released about South Sudan’s ongoing training camp in Spain.
GUINEA
The Guineans released a 16-man preliminary roster amid uncertainty about their coaching staff. The roster confirms the continuation of coach Asceric Nedeljo and EuroLeague star Alpha Diallo. Shannon Evans, who played a crucial role throughout the qualifiers, is not included on the list. Guinea was expected to play a warm-up game against Nigeria in Abuja before flying to Angola.
SENEGAL
The Lions of Teranga have won two of their three warm-up games so far. They defeated Côte d'Ivoire 96–92, beat Poland 75–69, and lost to Italy 80–56. It has been reported that Senegal will not have either Tacko Fall or Youssoupha Ndoye due to injuries.
MALI
Mali held part of their training camp in Istanbul, Turkey, where they lost to Cameroon 80–64.
UGANDA
One thing Ugandans are certain of is that Arthur Kaluma won’t be part of their roster for the 2025 African Championships. He had a stellar 2021 AfroBasket campaign, helping the Silverbacks reach the quarterfinals. However, he got the chance of a lifetime by signing with NBA heavyweights Los Angeles. Uganda held a training camp in South Africa before departing for Luanda.
ANGOLA
Angola held a three-week training camp in Spain, where they played several warm-up games. The hosts returned to Angola early in the week. In Spain, Angola faced Argentina and lost both scrimmages, 79-73 and 93-73, respectively.
FIBA