Things to know about the 2023 FIBA AfroCan
The wait for the FIBA AfroCan is over as twelve countries from all corners of Africa are expected in Luanda to compete for the title of a competition launched four years ago.
LUANDA (Angola) - The wait for the FIBA AfroCan is over as twelve countries from all corners of Africa are expected in Luanda to compete for the title of a competition launched four years ago.
This twelve-nation event is reserved for African-based players, but for two. It is a quadrennial competition that aims to give Africa-based players international basketball experience but it also looks to promote the game across the continent.
Find below things that you need to know about the 2023 FIBA AfroCan.
WHEN - The tournament will run from Saturday, July 8 until Sunday, July 16.
WHERE - Arena Kilamba, located on the outskirts of the Angolan capital, is the stage of the tournament.
Kilamba Arena
COMPETITION SYSTEM - Teams are divided into four groups of three teams each. The teams that finish in the first places of Groups A,B,C and D, qualify directly to the Quarter-Finals.
The teams that finish in second and third places of each group will have a second chance to remain in competition by playing the Qualification Round to the Quarter-Finals, where the losing teams will be eliminated.
The four semifinalists qualify automatically to the 2027 FIBA AfroCan while the losing teams of the Quarter-Finals will compete for the Fifth to Eight-Place in the Classification Round.
DR Congo won the first edition of the FIBA AfroCan in 2019 in Bamako
ACTION - In total, the twelve participating teams will play 28 games.
AFROCAN DEBUTANT - While eight teams are returning to the FIBA AfroCan for the second straight time - since the tournament's inception four years ago in Bamako, Mali - Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique and Rwanda are making their maiden appearances in the competition.
HOW TO WATCH THE 2023 FIBA AFROCAN - Games will be shown on the subscription-only COURTSIDE 1891 PORTAL.
FIBA Africa will provide additional coverage to tournament through its social media platforms.
Fans wanting to attend the games at Kilamba Arena can find more information HERE.
HISTORY OF HOST NATIONS - It remains to be seen if Angola can become the first FIBA AfroCan host to win the tournament in front of their home fans.
Four years ago, Mali did everything right by beating Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire in Group A until a 69-61 Quarter-Finals defeat to Morocco halted their hope of winning their first-ever continental trophy.
CAN ANGOLA PREVAIL ON HOME SOIL? - Angola have a history of being successful when playing at home, but can they protect their home court?
For years, Angola dominated their opponents on home soil until Cote d'Ivoire became the first team to beat Angola in Angola - for the first time in three decades - in November 2021 during the first round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers held in the Southern city of Benguela.
MVP - Among the many talented players heading to the Luanda showpiece, Morocco's Abdlehakim Zouita appears as the only player to have won a FIBA Africa MVP award.
Abdelhakim Zouita was named MVP of the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup
Zouita led his former team AS Sale to the title of the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions CUP while winning the MVP award of the competition in Rades, Tunisia.
Last week, he was named the MVP of the 2022-23 Morocco League Playoff Finals.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT: Oussama Marnaoui and Yacine Toumi (Tunisia), Pio Matos and Jeremias Manjate (Mozambique), Glofate Buiamba (Angola), Makan Keita (Mali), Victor Ezeh and Ibe Abuchi Agu (Nigeria), Etienne Tametong Kalume (Cameroon), Rolly Fula (DR Congo), Dolivitch Moupomo (Gabon), Keneth Gasana and Williams Robeyns (Rwanda), Tom 'Bush' Wamukota (Kenya), Lionel Kouadio and Mike Fofana (Cote d'ivoire), Kevin Franceschi (Morocco).
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF THE 2023 FIBA AFROCAN.
FIBA