Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will get underway on August 26 through 28, as 12 African teams will be hunting for a place at the showpiece that will take place in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines next year. Abidjan, the Capital of Cote d’Ivoire and Monastir, a Tunisian city, will host this round of the qualifiers. In this article, we take a look at the 12 teams that will be competing and what can be expected from them. South Sudan The return of most of the squad that started South Sudan’s African Qualifiers campaign in February is a sign of the team’s identity, although they are expected to add a few new faces to go up against equally ambitious Egypt, DR Congo and Senegal. South Sudan have learned the African basketball specificities quickly enough to keep them on the pole position for what could be their biggest achievement so far. If they win their next three games, it will be game-changing in the African basketball landscape. Record: 6-0 in Group B FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 11th. Tunisia Besides being a powerhouse of continental basketball, Tunisia will be boosted by the home-court advantage as they will be playing in their city of Monastir. Since 2015, Tunisia has built a 21-1 winning-streak on home soil, which included a 6-0 (2017 Afrobasket), 6-0 (2019 World Cup African Qualifiers) and a 3-0 record in the Second Round of the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers, and, of course, a 6-1 in the 2015 Afrobasket. The presence of their passionate fans who will come to watch, coupled with the fact that the team has a group of players that has played together for a decade, Tunisia is in a very good position to relaunch their World Cup aspirations. Record: 4-2 in Group B FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 5th. Cote d'Ivoire The Elephants are headed to Window 4 of the African Qualifiers without two vital players: Matt Costello and Assemian Moulare. However, playing at home for the second straight time in just over a month could be a major morale booster for a team that has won all their four games so far and keep their World Cup aspirations alive. And the return of Souleyman Diabate, who sat out Window 3 of the African Qualifiers in July, represents a huge addition to the Elephants. Record: 6-0 in Group C FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 5th. Egypt Fresh off a training camp in the Bahamas where the Pharaohs finished 1-2 in a three-team warm-up tournament against Puerto Rico, South Dakota University and Ohio State University, Egypt remain a solid and defensive-minded team that can cause some damage in Monastir. Egypt’s strongest assets at this stage are the team’s cohesion and chemistry, and their burning desire to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Record 5-1 in Group D FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 6th. Nigeria The addition of Tokyo 2020 Olympians Josh Okogie, Ike Nwamu, and Miye Oni, and the return of coach Mike Brown has boosted the D’Tigers chances for the next three games against Angola, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. The last time Nigeria visited Abidjan, they experienced their worst result in African basketball in the last two decades after a humiliating 76-46 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the last window of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers. There’s no question how Nigeria had their pride hurt in the first Windows of the African Qualifiers, where they lost to Cape Verde twice. With the current roster and coaching staff, it’s now a superb chance for Nigeria to prove they are legitimate World Cup contenders. Record: 2-2 in Group A FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 1st. Cape Verde Cape Verde don’t need to prove how resilient they can be, but inconsistency remains their main concern. Walter Tavares - a key factor in the team’s rotation in recent times - is available for the next three games, and the islanders have to make the most of his presence. Taking on Angola, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire may not be the easiest task, but this team has shown they belong amongst the African basketball royalty, and can cause a lot more damage in Window 4. Record: 3-1 in Group A FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 10th. Angola The good news for Angola is that Bruno Fernando - the first Angolan to play in the NBA - has joined the team’s training camp, and is expected to make his first appearance for the ‘Black Antelopes’ since 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia. However, some of the team’s big names are still missing and Angola’s upcoming stars Childe Dundao, Gerson Lukeny Goncalves and Aboubacar Gakou need to bring their A-game to match-up Nigeria Cape Verde and Uganda. Record: 4-2 in Group C FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 3rd. Senegal All eyes will be on how former Senegal international player DeSagana Diop handles a team that desperately needs to get back on track after parting ways with former coach Boniface Ndong. Facing high-flying South Sudan, Tunisia and Cameroon is the toughest task newly-appointed coach Diop will face in his new position. Nevertheless, the return of Brancou Badio , Amar Sylla, Khalifa Diop and an 89-72 win in a warm-up game over Cape Verde early this week give Senegal hope. Record: 3-3 in Group D FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 4th. DR Congo Although NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga is expected to debut for his country, and Pitchou Manga could be added to the team’s rotation it remains to be known how the Leopards will perform under newly appointed coach Emmanuel Mavomo. Record: 4-2 in Group D FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 13th. Uganda The Silverbacks dropped three games in Kigali last month, making Window 4 of the African Qualifiers an opportunity to see how the Silverbacks can regroup and relaunch their World Cup African Qualifiers campaign against Angola, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. Record: 1-3 in Group A FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 14th. Cameroon Highly regarded point guard Paris Lee has acquired Cameroonian nationality and is expected to debut for the Indomitable Lions on Monastir. Can Lee turn Cameroon’s fortunes around in the World Cup African Qualifiers? Time will tell. Record: 1-5 in Group B FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 7th. Guinea Outsider, yes, but Zeljko Zecevic’s team isn’t throwing in the towel despite the 0-4 record. And with the return of Shane Evans and Mohamed Queta this Guinea team cannot be underestimated. Record: 0-4 in Group C FIBA World Ranking (Africa): 17th.
