First Look At Groups A & C

The FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers kick off tomorrow, as African nations begin their pursuit of five coveted spots at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha, Qatar. A total of sixteen teams: Angola, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tunisia, and Uganda, are competing in a multi-window tournament structure, designed to test depth, consistency, and adaptability across multiple stages.

The first window in November 2025 will feature eight of these teams, split across Groups A and C. Group A comprises Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, and Cape Verde, while Group C features Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, and Tunisia. Each team will play its group opponents once in this opening window, with a total of six games to be played across the three First Round windows (November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026). Only the top three teams from each group will advance to the Second Round, while the bottom team will be eliminated from contention.

In the Second Round, advancing teams will be placed into two new groups, carrying forward results from the First Round. Each nation will then play six additional games against teams they have not yet faced. At the conclusion of this stage, the top two teams from each group, along with the best third-place team, will earn qualification for Doha 2027, making every game in the first window critical to each team’s path forward.

Group A

Cameroon

The Cameroonian national team enters the qualifiers on the back of a strong AfroBasket 2025 campaign, where they narrowly missed the final against eventual champions Angola. Their strength lies in disciplined defense, high-intensity execution, and team cohesion, but offensive depth remains a concern. Players like Jeremiah Hill contribute offensive creativity, while Fabien Ateba and Tamenang Choh bring scoring and rebounding versatility. Additionally, Samir Gbetkom has developed into a facilitator and defensive disruptor.

Cameroon has yet to fully translate its continental success into consistent World Cup qualification. If they can replicate the defensive discipline that defined their AfroBasket run, they will be formidable opponents for any team in Group A.

South Sudan

South Sudan’s rise in African basketball over the past 5 years has been meteoric. Despite an underwhelming AfroBasket 2025 campaign, where the Olympic core was unavailable following the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Bright Stars remain a team on the ascent. They showed flashes of their signature grit, with Nuni Omot spearheading the offense.

Their debut at the 2023 FIBA World Cup highlighted their potential, recording a historic victory over China (89–69), making them the youngest nation to win at the tournament. Guided by Luol Deng’s vision, South Sudan possesses the talent and pedigree to top the group, assuming key players are available and roster continuity is maintained.

Libya

Libya’s AfroBasket 2025 campaign was hampered by instability in leadership and roster disruptions, including the absence of Mohamed Sadi through injury and a late coaching change. Although they did not register a win, glimpses of resilience and individual effort suggest a foundation upon which to build.

In the World Cup qualifiers, Libya aims to restore cohesion and identity with Sadi back in the rotation. By integrating returning talent and key scorers, they could become more competitive, positioning themselves as a potential wildcard in Group A.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde continues to impress as one of Africa’s smallest nations. The Blue Sharks have shown that they deserve a place among the elite teams. At AfroBasket, they reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Angola. Their strong core, led by Edy Tavares, a two-time EuroLeague champion and three-time EuroLeague Best Defender, along with brothers Ivan and Joel Almeida, provides both inside dominance and outside shooting precision.

Cape Verde’s historic win over Venezuela at the 2023 World Cup, with a score of 81–75, showcased their composure under pressure. Betinho Gomes led the charge with 22 points, supported by strong performances from Tavares and Will Tavares. In Group A, the Blue Sharks continue to pose a significant threat, capable of challenging teams like Cameroon and South Sudan.

Group C

Nigeria

The D’Tigers possess immense talent but have struggled with consistency. Their AfroBasket 2025 campaign highlighted flashes of brilliance but little sustained cohesion. NBA and international players such as Josh Okogie provide athleticism and scoring, yet translating individual skill into consistent team performance under pressure remains the primary challenge, as seen in their quarter-final exit.

Nigeria’s success has traditionally relied on its strength, speed, perimeter defense, and high-tempo play. Stability in player selection and leadership will be essential if they are to assert dominance in Group C and reclaim their position as continental heavyweights.

Rwanda

Rwanda’s 2025 AfroBasket campaign exposed gaps in scoring depth and on-court execution. The team has since undergone a transition under interim coach Yves Murenzi, supported by former national stars Kenny Gasana and Aristide Mugabe, as they seek to establish a consistent playing identity.

A key addition to this window’s roster is Jean Jacques Nshobouzoua, who did not feature at AfroBasket 2025 but brings valuable experience to the team. He was part of the Rwandan squad that finished third at AfroCAN 2023. Across his previous FIBA appearances, Nshobouzoua has shown versatility in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, making him a key asset for Rwanda as they look to deepen their offensive options.

This first window will be critical for Rwanda to convert potential into tangible results. Establishing early chemistry, implementing disciplined defense, and leveraging transition play will be essential if they hope to compete effectively in Group C.

Guinea

Guinea impressed at AfroBasket 2025, narrowly missing out on the quarterfinals despite strong performances against top teams, including a win over South Sudan. Led by Mamadi Diakite and Alpha Diallo, the team combined physicality and balanced scoring, proving they are close to joining Africa’s elite.

Guinea enters the qualifiers with momentum and belief, although the absence of key EuroLeague stars for the first window could present challenges. If they maintain their defensive discipline and competitive intensity, they can compete with Nigeria and Tunisia for top positions.

Tunisia

Tunisia, once a benchmark of tactical excellence in African basketball, is now in transition. AfroBasket 2025 revealed a team blending flashes of experience with the growing pains of a younger generation. Veteran Omar Abada remains central to the team’s identity, guiding the roster through tactical execution and leadership.

With coach Adel Tlatli returning, Tunisia retains a disciplined approach, structured defense, and efficient ball movement. Their historical track record and home advantage can help offset experience gaps, keeping them competitive in Group C.

What’s At Stake In The First Window

For emerging programs like Rwanda and Libya, the first window is a testing ground to integrate new players, implement tactical strategies, and build cohesion. For more established powers such as Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Sudan, the initial games are about asserting dominance, avoiding upsets, and maintaining the psychological advantage over rivals.

The first window is also a barometer of readiness. Coaches will assess rotations, evaluate player chemistry, and refine strategies under real competitive pressure. This first window will reveal which teams can translate preparation and potential into results, and which may struggle to adapt to high-stakes competition.

Teams that start strongly can carry momentum into future games, while those who falter will face a much steeper path toward securing one of Africa’s five coveted World Cup spots. Every game counts, and every team must be at its best from the very first whistle.