FIBA Basketball

Tunisia's unbeaten run, Congo and Diogu's return shake up this week's Power Rankings

ABIDJAN (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - As the clock continues ticking fast for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 to be co-hosted by Senegal and Tunisia from September 8-16, our editors weigh in the 16 teams' competitiven

RANK	NATION	MOVE
1		+1	Tunisia, one of the co-hosts countries, is the place that a number of teams have chosen for their preparations. In the process, the hosts have defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali ahead of this week's four-nation warm-up tournament against Mali, Senegal, and Egypt. The Tunisians seemed to have embraced Coach Palma's game plan.
2		-1	The Senegalese look unstoppable. After trouncing the Central African Republic 103-50 last week in Tunis, Senegal dispatched Mali 77-46 on Monday night. As we write, the Tunisian Basketball Federation informed a friendly game between Tunisia and Senegal, which could have given indications about the two teams' competitiveness, had been canceled.
3			After a successful training camp in China, the Angolans expected to host a three-nation tournament against Mozambique and South Africa from September 1-3, however, a statement from the Angolan Basketball Federation says the event will no longer take place.
4		+4	Ike Diogu is leading by example. The team captain has finally joined the team, which opened their training camp in Lagos last week. Diogu is set to become the only player from winning team from 2015 while Ben Uzoh has officially declined to join the team.
5		+5	The Congolese have left a very good impression during a 79-69 defeat to Tunisia last week in Tunis. Point guard Myck Kabongo is expected to become one of the team leaders.
6		-1	Jean Claude Ntep's team have held a training camp in Brazil, but haven't faced any FIBA AfroBasket 2017 bound opposition. A number of home-based players like Felix Bogmis might take leading roles in Tunisia.
7		-3	Losing by 53 points against Senegal last week followed by Tuesday's 65-60 defeat to Mali, indicates how much work the former continental champions the Central African Republic have to do until the September 8 when they take on Group B opponent Morocco. Romain Sato, who the local media reported as a possible fit for the team, is yet to join the team.
8		-2	Amr Aboul Kheir, who led Egypt to a runner-up finish at FIBA AfrBasket 2013, is back at the helm of the Pharaohs, but he won't count on the services of talents like Assem Marei or Ehab Amin.
9		-1	The Moroccans have selected an experienced team, and are currently holding a training camp in Turkey.
10		+1	A huge defeat to Senegal in Tunisia, where they are currently holding part of their preparations could give Mali some lessons moving forward. And they responded positively by beating the Central African Republic 65-60 on Tuesday.
11		-2	Mandy Juruny - the mastermind behind Uganda's rise in recent years - is now the team's assistant coach. D-League Texas Legends assistant coach George Galanapoulos is now the man at the helm. Will Galanapoulos inspire the East Africans at FIBA AfroBasket 2017? Let's wait and see. As we write, Uganda are set to face Egypt in a friendly game.
12			While holding a training camp in the capital Conakry with local-based players, Guineans await the arrival of their foreign-based players. Ousmane Camara, who coached Guinea at FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017, is expected to lead the men's team in Tunisia.
13			Rwanda captain Hamza Ruhezamihigo has joined the team in Sousse, Tunisia, although prolific scorer Kenneth Gasana is yet to arrive.
14			Head coach Inaki Garcia is running against the clock to build a team, which won't count on some of their best performers. However, he remains adamant that they will play the best they can against Group D opponents Senegal, South Africa and Egypt.
15			Without big names in attendance, Cote d'Ivoire opened their training camp in Abidjan. It remains to be known if the likes of Souleyman Diabate and Mohamed Kone would join the team.
16			South Africa's training camp is fully underway in Johannesburg.