THE AfroBasket is making a return to Angola after 19 years, and the giants of the game will converge on the cities of Luanda and Moçâmedes in the Southern province of Namibe in the quest to be crowned basketball kings of Africa. Ahead of the tournament, The Big Tip Off is providing a preview of all the groups, key players, statistics and predictions on which teams will emerge.
Group C Overview
Group C at AfroBasket 2025 offers a fascinating mix of basketball royalty, rising forces, and ambitious challengers. Hosts Angola will be under pressure to deliver in front of their passionate home fans and reclaim past glory. South Sudan, Africa’s top-ranked team, aims to continue their meteoric rise and stake a claim as continental champions.
Guinea arrive with a fearless edge, eager to prove their upset over Angola in the qualifiers was no fluke. Libya make a long-awaited return to the tournament after 16 years, hoping a blend of veteran experience and fresh energy can surprise the field.
With three knockout stage spots available, this group promises high-intensity clashes and very few easy wins.
Angola – The Home Giants
Angola enters AfroBasket 2025 with a rich history, strong home support, and the desire to add to their record of 11 titles. They last lifted the trophy in 2013, and while results over the past decade have been mixed, including a quarterfinal exit in 2021, this tournament represents a chance for redemption and a celebration of their basketball heritage.
Guided by Spanish coach Josep Claros Canals, Angola dominated the qualifiers, topping Group C in scoring (83.3 points per game), assists (19.0), and blocks (3.0).
Childe Dundao, the team’s top scorer at 18.5 points per game, and Jilson Bango, with a shooting percentage of 61% and an average of 7.7 rebounds per game, will be crucial to their success. The MVP of the domestic Angolan Basketball League, Aboubakar Gakou, as well as Gerson Gonçalves, strengthen a well-balanced attack.
If Angola can improve their three-point shooting (29%) and reduce turnovers (14.7 per game), their mix of interior strength and home-court energy will make them strong favourites to top the group.
South Sudan – The Rapid Risers
South Sudan’s journey from debutants in 2021 to Africa’s number-one ranked team has been nothing short of remarkable. They arrive in Angola with an aggressive, athletic style that has caught the eye.
In the qualifiers, they led all teams in this group in rebounds (43.3 per game), steals (16.3), and field goal percentage (45%). Wenyen Gabriel was a force on both ends, topping the rebound charts at 10.5 per game and adding 2.5 blocks, while Kuany Atem Kuany shot an extraordinary 68.8% from beyond the arc.
Kur Nyok Kuath provided elite finishing at 88% from the field, and Jackson Makoi orchestrated the offence with 5.8 assists per game.
The Bright Stars’ challenge will be maintaining shooting consistency and avoiding costly defensive fouls. If they can lock in defensively, the talent at their disposal and momentum will facilitate a deep run and cement themselves as the best team on the continent.
Guinea – The Fearless Challengers
Guinea come to the tournament with a fighting spirit and the confidence of knowing they can beat the best, having edged Angola 66–65 in qualifiers. Ranked 11th in Africa, they play with physicality, hustle, and a willingness to battle on every possession.
Shannon Evans was their offensive spark, averaging 19 points per game and shooting a group-best 90% from the free-throw line during qualifiers. Ousmane Drame added versatility with 14 points, 8.3 rebounds, and four assists per game, while Cheick Sekou Conde and Abdoulaye Sy brought muscle to the paint.
Guinea also posted the highest team free-throw percentage in Group C (73.3%). However, low shooting efficiency (38.9%) and a high turnover rate (20 per game) threaten to undermine their efforts. If they can take better care of the ball and improve shot selection, Guinea could cause another upset or two.
Libya – The Returning Dark Horses
Libya’s return to AfroBasket after a 16-year absence has been one of the most compelling storylines. Their qualification run was marked by resilience, starting with a pre-qualifying win over Morocco and peaking with a dramatic 92–89 overtime victory against Nigeria.
Hosting the second round of qualifiers boosted their momentum, and they finished with a 4–2 record. The appointment of former NBA player Sam Vincent as head coach adds a new layer of experience and tactical knowledge to the lessons learned during their qualifying run with Coach Fouad Abou Chakra.
Naseim Badrush was the motor of the side, playing a tournament-high 37.9 minutes per game and leading all players in assists (8.4). Mohamed Sadi was the cornerstone of the side, with his ability to turn defence into offence. He made history during qualifiers, notching a historic triple-double (24 points, 12 assists and 10 steals).
Sofian Hamad and Mohamed Ramadan provided inside scoring and rebounding. Shooting efficiency (38.2%) and defensive lapses remain concerns, but if Libya get their rhythm early, they could easily disrupt the group’s expected order.
Key Fixtures to Watch
Angola vs South Sudan: A clash between the hosts and Africa’s top-ranked side, with first place in the group likely on the line.
Guinea vs Libya: A game that could determine the battle for a knockout spot, pitting Guinea’s hustle against Libya’s experienced core.
South Sudan vs Guinea: Athleticism meets grit in a matchup that could produce a major upset.
Predictions
Buoyed by their home crowd and a commanding inside presence, Angola head into Group C as favourites to advance. With their blend of experience, depth, and home-court advantage, they have the tools to progress. So long as they cut down on turnovers and sharpen their perimeter shooting.
South Sudan is the most likely to advance to the knockout stages alongside the hosts. Their size, rebounding, and defensive intensity give them an edge over Guinea and Libya. If their shooting holds up, they could even top the group.
Guinea, fresh from their qualifier’s upset over Angola, cannot be discounted. If they improve efficiency and cut down turnovers, they could stun a higher-ranked opponent for a chance to play for a knockout spot. Libya, though ranked lowest in the group, have the tools and coaching to cause surprises. A strong start and consistent execution could make them the wild card in Group C.
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