Basketball heads to Luanda, Angola, which is going to be home to 12 nations, including Rwanda, vying for supremacy at the much-anticipated Afro-CAN finals slated for July 8-16. As the curtains rise for the showpiece, participating teams like hosts Angola, Tunisia and defending champions DR Congo as well as debutants Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique and Rwanda, were placed in four groups of three teams each. ALSO READ: Rwanda off to Luanda for Afro-CAN finals ALSO READ: What you need to know about AfroCAN debutants Rwanda In this article, Weekend Sport takes a glimpse into each of the groups and the package that teams could bring on the floor at the continental basketball show in Luanda. GROUP A: Kenya, Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire By making their first podium finish in the tournament, Kenya built a solid squad by tirelessly working their way up the ladder. Then a lot has changed positively for Cote d'Ivoire basketball and what remains is for that effort to be translated into the pursuit of their African basketball dreams. And, while Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire have established themselves as African basketball households, Gabon are not regular competitors on the continental scene and this event provides the platform for them to make a mark. GROUP B: Angola, Nigeria, Mali Angola has the pedigree and an impressive home record to turn the tables. Can they become the first team to win it all at home in front of their insatiable fans? Watch them out and, believe it or not, they won’t leave a single breathing room for any opponent looking to spoil their party as they look to celebrate the championship in front of the home crowd in Luanda. But they will have to put some sweat in it, knowing that the likes of Nigeria and Mali aren’t going there just to participate. Nigeria has an array of talent both abroad and at home but they are yet to shake the continental powerhouses. They hope the invitation after finishing second in their qualifiers can spur them to success. On the other side, finishing fifth overall in a disappointing outing in Bamako did not augur well for Mali. But there is little doubt that they are on the right track and can slug with the best. Fear the underdogs who, without pressure, can surprise every favorite en route to glory. GROUP C: Morocco, Tunisia, Rwanda Rwanda has been a perfect host to big FIBA Africa competitions and they have shown gradual progress toward being a force but they have always shown inferior confidence at big occasions. Time could be now or never to put their hands on a continental trophy. The Zone 5 representatives consists of a group of players whose technicity and experience can bring some chemistry which can result in a formidable show in Luanda. Head coach Cheikh Sarr did not travel with the team but he will still contribute virtually from Kigali where he stayed with the women’s team preparing for the highly-anticipated Afrobasket. But they are not a one-team group. Morocco and Tunisia are also cooking something to serve in Luanda. Morocco is one of the nations that deservedly sat among the top-ten national teams in Africa not so long ago before it rapidly rolled downhill. But there is determination and the time to redeem themselves is now. There is also little to no doubt that Tunisia is a dominant force to fear, having won back-to-back AfroBasket titles. They are banking on a new generation to keep the fire burning. GROUP D: DR Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon By bagging the gold medal in the inaugural AfroCAN without losing a game in 2019, the DR Congo lifted their first-ever continental title. And they will be looking to defend it in Angola. Meanwhile, Mozambique were missed in the flagship event but they now have a major opportunity to rejoin the basketball family and try to re-establish their program. Cameroon finished their qualifier with a solid 4-0 record, and have yet to find their rhythm when facing the top teams. The group stages will define how far they can go during the finals in Angola.
