Power Rankings: Who leads the race for the last four World Cup tickets for Africa?

ALEXANDRIA/LUANDA (Egypt/Angola) - Could this edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers enter the history books as the most unpredictable one?

Each of the 12 teams have three games left to determine the remaining four World Cup tickets for Africa, but with Cote d'Ivoire already qualified, a number of teams emerge with stronger chances than others to earn the right to represent Africa at this year's World Cup in Indonesia, Japan and Philippines.

NOTE: The teams that finish in the top two places of Groups E and F qualify automatically, while the fifth spot will be attributed to the best third-placed team.

So, who leads the race for the last four World Cup tickets in Africa?? 

NOTE: The movement from previous rankings last September is reflected in the brackets. 

#1 SOUTH SUDAN  (+1)

Record: 8-1 in Group F
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 7th

February 24, 2023 could become a historic day in the South Sudan's still recent basketball history if the newest African country beat continent heavyweight Senegal in Alexandria, Egypt.

South Sudan need just one win in Group F to secure automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup, which makes this South Sudan vs Senegal one of the highlights of the final window of the African Qualifiers.

Can South Sudan do it? The team's morale and eagerness to make history play in their favour although the Bright Stars know too well that they need to be in their prime to succeed against a Senegalese team that desperately need wins to return to the World Cup for the third straight time.

#2 EGYPT   (+1)

Record: 7-2 in Group F
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 6th

Lessons seem to have been learned from the 2019 World Cup African Qualifiers, when Egypt reached the final three games with their World Cup destiny depending on other teams' results. Things look a lot better for the Pharaohs this time around, and they only depend on themselves to qualify.

Egypt are playing solid and consistent basketball, and will try to capitalise from their home-court advantage when they host the final games of Group F. If they beat reigning African champions Tunisia on February 24, and South Sudan beat Senegal, Egypt will return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

#3 ANGOLA  (+1)

Record 5-2 in Group E
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 4th

The former African champions are on a five-game winning streak with a superb chance of returning to the World Cup for the sixth straight time.

With a relatively renovated squad compared to the team that finished 9-3 in 2019, Angola seem eager and capable of staying perfect when they play the next three games in front of their home fans in Luanda.

#4 CAPE VERDE  (+2)

Record: 4-3 in Group E
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 8th

One thing that Cape Verde are aware of heading to the final three games of their World Cup African Qualifiers campaign is that they can't contemplate dropping any games if they are to fight for a place in the World Cup.

With the experienced squad at their disposal, the Blue Sharks should be fine, even if Real Madrid center Walter Tavares isn't available.

And playing in Luanda under Angolan coach Emanuel Trovoada will be like playing at home due to the huge Cape Verdean community in the country.  

#5 SENEGAL  (-)

Record: 6-3 in Group F
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 4th

After beating high-flying South Sudan last August and heading to their final three games on the back of a four-game winning streak couldn't be anymore encouraging for the Teranga Lions. 

Even if leading player Gorgui Dieng might not be available for the Lions, Senegal have shown grit and poise to compete for a World Cup ticket. It's worthy noting that Senegal are 3-0 under coach DeSagana Diop.

#6 TUNISIA  (+1)

Record: 5-4 in Group F
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 2nd 

Tunisia captain Makram Ben Romdhane has reluctantly noted that the reigning African champions will not throw in the towel until the final whistle of their last game in the African Qualifiers. 

For a team that reached the final three games of the 2019 African Qualifiers with their place in China already secured this is a new reality. The next three games may be the starting point of Tunisia's rebuilding.

#7 COTE D'IVOIRE  (-6)

Record: 7-0 in Group E
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 5th

The first African team to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup head to the final three games of their African Qualifiers with a sense of mission accomplished. There's nothing else to prove or to play for, and this might explain the absence of fundamental players such Guy Edi, Matthew Costello.

#8 NIGERIA  (+1)

Record: 3-4 in Group E
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 1st

What a difference four years have made to D'Tigers! In 2019 Nigeria looked dominant, consistent and ready to take on the world's best. Fast forward to February 2023, and the former African champions look nothing like the team that still ranks at the top of the FIBA Africa Rankings.   

#9 CAMEROON  (+1)

Record: 2-7 in Group F
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 9th

The chances of Cameroon qualify for their first World Cup are almost non-existent, but, for former Cameroon international player and current national team head coach Alfred Aboya reminded, "It's time to start to prepare this team for the future."

#10 DR CONGO  (-2)

Record: 4-5 in Group F
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 10th

After a promising start to the African Qualifiers, DR Congo find themselves in a tough position heading to their final three games. Dropping their last thee games last August didn't help their World Cup cause.

#11 UGANDA  (+1)

Record: 1-6 in Group E
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 12th

Inconsistency and a demanding schedule for a team that relies heavily on its foreign-based players may have been costly for Uganda. Better days are expected from the Silverbacks of Uganda. 

#12 GUINEA  (-1)

Record: 1-6 in Group E
FIBA World Ranking (Africa) presented by Nike: 15th

Remember when Guinea beat Egypt and Rwanda to reach the 2021 AfroBasket? That time seems long gone. Guinea are headed their final three games of the African Qualifiers with a 1-6. 

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.

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