LUANDA (Angola) - Six teams have already advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 AfroBasket and four more will do battle for the remaining two spots on Tuesday in Luanda.
Here's a breakdown of Tuesday's unmissable matchups.
Cape Verde vs. Tunisia 19 August 2025, 16:00 Local Time, (GMT+1)
Cape Verde and Tunisia are entering this year's AfroBasket elimination round with a history of competing against each other in two previous editions of the tournament: in 2021 and 2009.
The two nations have a 1-1 record against each other, with Tunisia prevailing 75-65 in the 2021 semifinals before clinching their second straight AfroBasket title. Twelve years earlier, in Libya, Cape Verde outclassed Tunisia, 71–52.
How dig they get here?
Cape Verde lost to Côte d'Ivoire 82-81 at the buzzer in their second Group A match, but victories over Rwanda (75-62) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (75-66) in Moçâmedes revived the Blue Sharks' chances of advancing to the quarterfinals.
Tunisia had a slow start to this African Championship, having lost their first two games against Cameroon and Nigeria in Group B before outlasting Madagascar in the final day of the Group Phase.
Game-changers
The colossal Walter Tavares (10.7 points and 12.7 rebounds) has to maintain his production levels for the clash against the defending champions. Point guard Will Tavares brings energy on the court. Apart from scoring (13 points), he can defend and force turnovers with 2.0 steals per game.
Brothers Joel and Ivan Almeida have shown no sign of slowing down. Older brother, Joel, who will be 40 in October, has been impressive with his production (12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds), and Ivan Almeida, 36, has been spectacular, putting up 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in the tournament.
The Blue Sharks will depend on their veterans to give them a shot at the quarter-finals.
Two-time AfroBasket champions Omar Abada remains Tunisia's most impactful player, averaging 16 points and four assists per game.
The Carthage Eagles will be piloted by experienced floor general Omar Abada (16 points, 3.7 rebounds and four assists) in their attempt to qualify for the last eight. Shooting guard Oussama Marnaoui finally came to the party with his big game in the victory against Madagascar, posting 33 points.
Cameroon vs. DR Congo 19 August 2025, 19:00 Local Time, (GMT+1)
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon ended their Group B campaign on a low note after a loss to Nigeria (99-90), following wins over Tunisia (86-65) in their opening game and Madagascar (80-77).
The Democratic Republic of Congo had a strong qualifying campaign for the AfroBasket, but at the actual tournament, it has been difficult for the Leopards. Finishing the group stages with a 1-2 record and losses to Cape Verde (75-66) and Cote d'Ivoire (75-63), and in between, they got a win that allowed them to make the playoffs.
Prior to their meeting on Tuesday, Cameroon beat the DR Congo twice in the 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers.
Game changers
Ahead of the game against DR Congo, Cameroon will hope that floor general Jeremiah Hill, who left the game against Nigeria with a knee injury, has recovered in time for the playoffs against DR Congo.
Hill's (16.3 points, four rebounds, and 5.3 assists) ability to score, rebound, and facilitate has been crucial to Cameroon so far. Athletic big man Yves Missi, whose 15 points and seven rebounds in games against Tunisia and Nigeria have served Cameroon well. Against DR Congo, Missi will have to bring his A-game.
Jordan Sakho (18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds) can be expected to do damage in the paint for the Congo. Point guard Christian Lutete is a great scorer, and his 11 points in the tournament are a testament to that. And he can also rebound, crashing 9.3 rebounds a game. The DR Congo has players capable of winning the games, while experience may not be on their side, DR Congo can cause an upset or two.
FIBA