LUANDA - NAMIBE (Angola) - Excitement for the 2025 AfroBasket is palpable, with players, fans, and officials making their feelings known.
With just days to go before the 16-nation tournament begins, more questions than answers remain about what lies ahead.
This quadrennial tournament is expected to be one of the most unpredictable in decades, and for good reason.
The tournament will take place from August 12-24 in the Angolan cities of Namibe and Luanda.
Based on in-depth analysis, FIBA.basketball presents its latest assessment of each team's strength and potential before the tournament begins.
1. Senegal
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 47th
Although Senegal may be missing center Youssoupha Ndoye, who was a vital element during the qualifiers, it's their rejuvenated and talented roster — led by Ousmane Ndiaye, Brancou Badio, Jean Jacques Boissy, and Karim Mane — that makes this team unique. One of only two teams to finish the qualifiers undefeated in six games, along with Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal emerges as a legitimate title contender.
2. Côte d'Ivoire
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 31st
A winning team should never be changed. This seems to be Côte d'Ivoire's motto, as the Ivorians advanced to Angola with a perfect 6-0 record. The 2021 AfroBasket runners-up had productive training in Spain and seem to have developed their own identity under coach Miguel Ángel Hoyo Ramos. Ramos served as the team's assistant at one point in his career and has been the head coach since the second round of the qualifiers.
3. South Sudan
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 23rd
There is unanimous agreement that South Sudan's two losses in six qualifying games were a blessing in disguise. After qualifying for the 2023 World Cup with an 11–1 record, the Bright Stars of South Sudan were jolted back to reality by losses to Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers. The Bright Stars dream of winning their first African title on their second attempt. They learned that they can't be complacent if they want to maintain their high-ranking status.
South Sudan hasn't made its preliminary roster public, but based on their recent performances, it's likely that they will keep their talented core of players, who are capable of overcoming the most unpredictable barriers.
4. Cameroon
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 23rd
If the Indomitable Lions' performance throughout the qualifiers is any indication, they are rightfully considered title contenders. Their potential was further demonstrated during their 87-83 loss to Senegal in Dakar, when they kept the hosts on their heels until eventually faltering in the final seconds of the game. The team's chances have improved with the addition of Yves Missi, who had a breakthrough season with the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA.
5. Cape Verde
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 45th
Although they lost their last three qualifier games early this year, Cape Verde is a much better team with Edy Tavares, a rim protector and backboard destroyer, who is set to play in his third AfroBasket. For the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, playing in Angola is like playing at home, given the large Cape Verdean community living there.
6. Angola
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 33rd
The hosts built a solid team that spent just over three weeks practicing and playing warm-up games in Spain. From the backcourt to the frontcourt, this Angola team looks nothing like the team that finished 4-2 in the qualifiers. Two factors are in their favor: playing in front of their fans and their tendency to excel on home soil. The Black Antelopes won three of their eleven AfroBasket titles as hosts in 1989, 1999, and 2007. The last time the Black Antelopes lost a home game was in November 2021, when they narrowly lost to Côte d'Ivoire, 57–56, in the southern city of Benguela.
7. Nigeria
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 42nd
Nigeria's seventh place in the power rankings may seem questionable, but this is due to the unpredictable nature of the D'Tigers. As of now, there hasn't been much preparation in the lead-up to their warm-up games against Guinea in Abuja, but the team's talent is undeniable.
8. Egypt
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 38th
A team that was often described as promising has matured into a seasoned group, with its core having played together since their U16 days. Coached by former Egyptian international player Mounir El-Kerdany, the Pharaohs have a solid backcourt led by Ehab Amin, as well as a pair of bigs — Anas Mahmoud and Patrick Gardner — who excel on both ends of the floor.
9. DR Congo
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 72nd
The Congolese's performance in the qualifiers raised eyebrows, and they could be ranked higher, especially after becoming the first African team to beat South Sudan since August 2022 in the World Cup Qualifiers. However, questions remain about DR Congo's roster for the 2025 AfroBasket, as it has not yet been finalized.
10. Tunisia
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 36th
Ranking the reigning champions at No. 10 would be odd, especially after their 5-1 record in the qualifiers. However, with captain Makram Romdhane having announced his retirement from the national team a couple of months ago and veteran Radhouane Slimane not having participated in Tunisia's training camp, questions abound about their chances in Angola. The three-time African champions are currently transitioning to a new era.
11. Mali
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 83rd
If the unconfirmed reports that Oumar Ballo will be available for the Angola 2025 showdown are true, then Mali's chances will increase significantly. During the qualifiers, Mali's frontcourt excelled, especially in the second round. However, this team needs to work on consistency and offensive discipline.
12. Libya
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 94th
There is still some excitement about Libya's return to the AfroBasket family for the first time since 2009. However, the North Africans have been dealt two significant changes. Coach Fouad Abou Chacra, who led Libya to a 4–2 record in the qualifiers, is no longer with the team. Additionally, Mohamed Sadi, the team's heart and soul, has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
13. Guinea
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 75th
Beating Angola by one (66-65) and losing to the reigning champions Tunisia by one (64-63) in the second round reflected how desperate Guinea were to return to the AfroBasket for the third time in a row. These two close games against two of Africa's top teams suggest that Guinea has some unfinished business in Angola.
14. Uganda
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 85th
Although no warm-up games or training camp activities were reported for Uganda, the question on everyone's lips is whether the East Africans can do better than their 2-4 record in the qualifiers.
15. Rwanda
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 93rd
After a 2-4 record in the qualifiers, Rwanda needed a boost, and beating Libya in two straight warm-up games in Kigali provided just that.
16. Madagascar
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE - Men: 105th
Beating Egypt 82-80 on the second to last day of the qualifiers was probably Madagascar's most important win in years. Not only did the win increase their chances of returning to the AfroBasket for the first time since 2011, it also boosted the morale of the islanders. What's next for the lowest-ranked team among the 16 contenders? Let the battle begin.
DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent an official or precise ranking system. All comments reflect the author’s opinions.
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