DAKAR (Senegal) – Senegal has a rich basketball history and should never be taken for granted in any AfroBasket Championship.
It holds joint second place with Egypt, boasting an impressive record of 5 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals, for a grand total of 17.
Senegal has finished on the podium in each of the last two AfroBasket tournaments, placing third in 2017 and 2021.
Will the Lions of Senegal roar louder this time and claim the title?
FIBA World Ranking Presented by Nike:
8th (Africa) 47th (World)
Since 2013, Senegal has made it to the semi-finals of the AfroBasket four times, but has not advanced past that stage.
This has made the Lions perennial semi-finalists, disappointing for the country despite their talented players.
The situation is undoubtedly disturbing for them, but the team will need a great deal of determination, willpower, and tenacity to advance past the semi-finals.
Eager to advance, Senegal will leave nothing to chance in its quest to rewrite the narrative.
Road to Angola 2025
At the AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, Senegal demonstrated their skill with a perfect 6-0 record and 12 points.
They recorded wide margin wins except for their close encounters with Cameroon, which ended 87-83 and 83-76.
They easily defeated Gabon 101-58 and 102-68 and Rwanda 81-59 and 96-73.
Their performance at the qualifiers has given the team so much confidence that it will carry them through the tournament in Angola.
If Senegal wants to change their fortunes this time around, they must maintain the rhythm they have created going forward.
AfroBasket History
Senegal will make its 30th appearance at the AfroBasket tournament in Angola.
They have consistently ranked in the top 8, with their worst finish being ninth place in Angola in 2007.
Since then, the West African nation has consistently improved, and deservedly so.
With five titles under their belt — the last of which they won on home soil in 1997 when they beat Nigeria 69–48 in the final game — Senegal surely needs another title to reassert themselves as one of the continent’s basketball powerhouses.
Surely, 1997 is a year Senegal basketball still cherish to this day.
Coaching Staff
The Lions have an experienced technical crew led by Coach DeSagana Diop, a former NBA player who competed in two AfroBasket tournaments, in 2001 and 2009.
Diop served as the assistant coach of the Senegal team that finished third in the 2021 AfroBasket tournament in Rwanda.
Coach Diop was unavailable for the second and final round of the qualifiers in February in Rabat, Morocco, so Pabi Gueye replaced him.
Key Players
Brancou Badio (17.7 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists per game)
He has been a standout performer, leading the team in scoring and assists during the qualifiers. His performance was crucial to Senegal's success.
Youssoupha Ndoye (8 points, 6.8 rebounds) per game
He is a dominant force in the paint, providing strength and presence under the basket.
Ousmane Ndiaye (15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game)
He has only played in the three games of the qualifiers, and reminded everyone why he is one of the players to watch in Angola.
Outlook
After finishing third in the last two AfroBasket tournaments, Senegal is looking to perform even better this time around.
No conversation about the Senegal men's basketball team can avoid mentioning their 1997 AfroBasket victory on home soil.
Many of the new Senegalese players, some of whom are expected to travel to Angola, weren't even born when Senegal last won the AfroBasket title. They are determined to make their own history.
FIBA