Two decades without a FIBA AfroBasket title - is this Senegal's turn?

DAKAR (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - In the lead-up to the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 to be co-hosted by Senegal and Tunisia, we take a closer look at all 16 participating teams competing in the championship running from September 8-16.

Team: Senegal
NIKE FIBA World Ranking: 31st (Number 4 in Africa).
Last participation at FIBA AfroBasket: 2015 (5 wins, 2 losses) 4th-Place. 
Best results in the history of FIBA AfroBasket: African Champions in 1968, 1972, 1978, 1980 and 1997.
Qualified for FIBA AfroBasket 2017: Winners of FIBA Africa Zone 2 qualifiers against Mali, Guinea, and Cape Verde.

History/Qualification: As one of the most regulars at FIBA AfroBasket, the Senegalese have qualified for the last 14 editions of the tournament dating back to 1987. 

Although a dominant African basketball force in 1970's and early 1980's, Senegal waited almost two decades to win their latest continental trophy.

African champions in 1980, Senegal repeated their success in 1997 on home soil thanks to a triumph over Nigeria in the Final.

Although they reached the FIBA AfroBasket 2005 Final, they were beaten by eventual champions Angola. 

Senegal's main rivals include Tunisia, reigning champions Nigeria and Angola.

Key players: Maurice Ndour, Clevin Hannah, Hamady Ndiaye and Mouhammad Faye.   

Rising Star: Louis Adams, Sangone Niang and Youssoupha Ndoye. 

Outlook: Senegal - along with Tunisia - have been selected as hosts of the FIBA AfroBasket 2017, replacing original hosts Congo Brazzaville, who pulled out of their hosting rights two months ago.

A basketball-loving country, Senegal will host Groups B and D from September 8-10, while Tunisia will organize Groups A, C and the Final Phase.

Trying to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics via the Manila FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Senegal failed just short against higher ranked teams Turkey and Canada. 

However, one thing is for certain, the Western Africans demonstrated tenacity and determination throughout the qualifiers.

Head coach, Spaniard Porfirio Fisac has kept most of the team from Manila for this year's African Championship, making Senegal a legitimate title contender.

Possible Outcome:  Over the course of the last seven editions of the FIBA AfroBasket, Senegal reached the Semi-Finals on four occasions, claiming one Second-Place in 2005 followed by a Third-Place in 2013 in Abidjan.

So, clearly, the Senegalese are good enough this year to go all the way to the title game. 

FIBA