LUANDA (Angola) - The 2025 AfroBasket is approaching its final stages.
On Monday, fans can look forward to two thrilling elimination games at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Kilamba, with Guinea facing Mali and South Sudan competing against Senegal.
The winners of the two highly-anticipated games will book their quarterfinals spots.
FIBA.bsketball takes a look at the two upcoming games.
Guinea vs. Mali, 18 August 2025, 16:00 Local Time (GMT+1)
The two countries, Guinea and Mali, have only ever faced each other once in an AfroBasket, which was in 2005, with Mali emerging as the winners.
In this year's tournament, Guinea have had a different look about them.
They shocked South Sudan 88-80 in Group C. The win surely made eyeballs pop.
Despite losing to Angola (84-68), they ended their group stage campaign on a high with a win over Libya (83-54).
Alpha Diallo (21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and three assists) and Mamadi Diakite (14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists) have been the key figures in Guinea's amazing group stage run.
Guinea will look to them to go further in the competition.
Mali ended Group D disappointingly.
A 1-2 record will not encourage many that the Sahel nation is a contender. Losses to Egypt (74-59) and Senegal (80-70) raise questions about Mali's ability to compete against strong nations. A win against Uganda (85-72) in between the losses helped Mali progress to the elimination round.
Two-time Basketball Africa League (BAL) Defensive Player of the Year Aliou Diarra (11.7 points and 9.3 rebounds) and Siriman Kanoute (14.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and eight assists) have raised their game for Mali and the Eagles will depend on them to spread their wings.
South Sudan vs. Senegal, 18 August 2025, 19:00 Local Time (GMT+1)
Monday sees South Sudan and Senegal locking horns for the second time in an AfroBasket. The spoils of victory to went to Senegal in the 2021 AfroBasket.
The AfroBasket has been a reality check for South Sudan, a team expected to be dominant after rising to the No.1 ranking on the continent.
Group (C) game losses to Guinea (88-80) and Angola (66-64), and in between the two losses, a win over Libya (115-52), means Luol Deng's team has to settle for the playoff route to the quarterfinals.
Deng will look to his two BAL MVPs, Nuni Omot (18.3 points, five rebounds and 2.3 assists) and Jo Lual-Acuil (13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists) to lead South Sudan to a first AfroBasket win over Senegal.
Senegal, on the other hand, has had contrasting fortunes at the tournament. They left Group D with a 2-1 record. A win against Uganda (88-53) and a loss to Egypt (91-77). In their last game, the Lions of Teranga got an inspiring win against Mali (80-70).
Moustapha Diop (10.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) raised his game against Mali, dropping 16 points and crashing 10 boards, and coach DeSagana Diop will expect him to maintain the same level against Sudan.
Senegal can also turn to team captain Brancou Badio (14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists) and 2025 BAL MVP Jean Jacques Boissy (14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists) to trouble South Sudan at the offensive end.
FIBA