ABIDJAN (Côte d'Ivoire) - The road to the AfroBasket 2025 is heating up as teams scramble for the last qualifying spots, with two already eliminated from contention. With the final matches approaching, the focus shifts to the six remaining tickets to the tournament, set to take place next year. Here’s what to expect this Sunday from the qualifiers.
Group A has seen 10 out of 12 matches played. Upcoming fixtures on February 23 include Morocco facing Mali at 17:00 local time (GMT 0) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo taking on South Sudan at 20:00 local time. Currently, both the DRC and South Sudan have qualified, with Mali also securing their spot. Unfortunately for Morocco, they have been knocked out of the running.
Turning to Group B, which has also seen 10 matches completed, Nigeria will meet Cape Verde at 16:00 local time (GMT+2), followed by Uganda against Libya at 19:00 local time (GMT+2). All four teams—Cape Verde, Libya, Nigeria, and Uganda—are still vying for qualification, but the fourth team from this group will be determined as the best fourth-place finishers.
Meanwhile, Group C is buzzing with anticipation as two matches are scheduled for the same day. Rwanda is hoping to redeem itself against Gabon at 11:00 local time (GMT 0), and Cameroon will clash with Senegal at 14:00 local time (GMT 0). Currently, Senegal and Cameroon have secured their places, but Rwanda's fate hangs by a thread. They will qualify only if they defeat Gabon. Should they lose by 26 points or less, they still have a chance. If they lose by 28 or more points, their hopes will be dashed, and Gabon will also be eliminated if they lose.
Group D has seen all its teams remain competitive. With 10 matches played, on February 23, Madagascar will face Central African Republic at 13:00 local time (GMT+3), followed by Egypt’s match against Côte d'Ivoire at 16:00 local time (GMT+3). Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt have already booked their spots, as has Madagascar, leaving the Central African Republic out of the running.
Group E is no different, with 10 matches already played. On the 23rd, Kenya will play Guinea at 10:00 local time (GMT+2), followed by Angola against Tunisia at 13:00 local time (GMT+2). Tunisia has qualified along with Angola as the host country. The battle for Guinea and Kenya continues fiercely, as their fates rest on their final encounters.
Rwanda's recent showing has left its supporters feeling frustrated, especially following their latest match where they squandered a nine-point lead against Cameroon, resulting in an 86-83 defeat. Coach Cheikh Sarr expressed disappointment after witnessing his team let go of what seemed to be a secure lead. Rwanda had been performing admirably with three-pointers, hitting 15 out of 29 shots during the first three quarters. Unfortunately, they faltered down the stretch, making only 1 out of 9 attempts late, allowing Cameroon to seize victory.
Rwandan fans, who turned out to support their team at the IBN Yassine hall, left the venue disheartened. The lost opportunity meant not only was their qualification for AfroBasket in jeopardy, but it also marked their fourth defeat out of five games played. Cameroon, on the other hand, improved its record to 4-1 and looks forward to its much-anticipated match against the group leader Senegal.
The turning point for Rwanda came when Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza received an unsportsmanlike foul and Jeremiah Hill made four free throws, allowing Cameroon to stay on the offensive. Though Rwanda briefly regained the lead, Cameroon's key players ensured victory with clutch performances.
Jeremiah Hill’s standout performance, accumulating 22 points and 10 rebounds, was matched by teammate Paul Eboua. Hill's efforts, along with timely scoring from Williams Narace, demonstrated Cameroon's resolve as they managed to shine against the odds.
"It was a tough match because we allowed them to score too easily, especially when their game plan was organized at key moments. It was hard for us because they shot well," stated Eboua. The sentiments echoed by the coach, Alfred Aboya, highlighted the significance of pivotal moments, particularly when fouls quickly shifted momentum.
Looking forward, the stakes are high as teams anticipate the final qualification matches for AfroBasket 2025. The road may be tough, but with determination and skill on display, fans can expect thrilling encounters as the last available spots are filled this Sunday.