Aliou Diarra

A look at Group D of the FIBA World Cup Africa Qualifiers

Egypt

Egypt heads into the 2027 qualifiers with quiet confidence. Their showing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 earned respect, as they competed with structure and resilience against elite opposition. Led by Anas Mahmoud, Amr Abdelhalim, and Ehab Amin, the Pharaohs demonstrated balance on both ends of the floor and tactical discipline under pressure.

Their AfroBasket campaign, although cut short in the quarterfinals, reinforced their upward trajectory, combining solid guard play with interior strength. Egypt have a new coach in two-time BAL-winning coach Agustí Julbe, and his familiarity with the Egyptian players and his winning acumen inspire confidence. Egypt’s domestic league remains one of Africa’s most competitive, providing a steady supply of talent and continuity for the national team.

If their core group is available, Egypt will enter as a serious contender to top this group. They possess the combination of experience, tactical awareness, and shooting depth that could propel them beyond the early rounds. For a nation with a rich basketball legacy, the goal is clear: to remain among Africa’s representatives on the global stage.

Angola

For decades, Angola have been synonymous with African basketball excellence. Their showing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 reaffirmed that their identity, toughness, teamwork, and relentlessness still define them. Angola’s 80-70 victory over the co-hosts, the Philippines, showcased their ability to handle pressure, with Gerson Gonçalves and Bruno Fernando leading the way in a game that reflected both experience and composure.

At AfroBasket, Angola continued to show flashes of that same resilience. In the dominant 70-43 win against Mali, which led to their twelfth championship, on the back of the heroics of MVP Childe Dundão.

This Angolan core has been growing together for nearly a decade, first shining on the continental stage at the 2016 FIBA U16 AfroBasket in Rwanda. That team, which captured gold, featured not only Dundão but also Silvio Sousa, Bruno Fernando, and Mílton Valente, players who are now contributors on the senior national team. The continuity of that class has been vital. They have built chemistry, endured battles, and carried the lessons of youth championships into the senior stage.

Expect them to enter Group D as favourites to advance, backed by a strong basketball culture and proven consistency.

Mali

Mali’s AfroBasket campaign was defined by grit and energy, and a glimpse into the nation’s basketball evolution. Though they fell short at the last hurdle against Angola, their entire campaign was a statement that the golden generation has arrived.

The foundation for this success was laid years ago. In 2019, Mali’s U19 squad made history by reaching the FIBA U19 World Cup final in Greece, becoming the first African team to achieve such a feat. Led by Siriman Kanouté, Oumar Ballo, and the Drame twins, that young core stunned the basketball world and ignited belief across the continent. Many of those same players now anchor Mali’s senior side and are complemented by the dominance of two-time BAL DPOY Aliou Diarra.

This continuity has created a balanced, fearless roster. Mali’s strength lies in athleticism and rebounding, anchored by players who excel in transition and thrive in the open court. Their youthful core plays with pace and passion, but offensive rhythm and game management remain areas for growth, the kind of growing pains that define a program still learning to win consistently.

Despite these growing pains, the potential is unmistakable. Mali’s development pipeline remains one of Africa’s most promising, and this group is easily one of the favourites.

Uganda

Uganda’s basketball journey over the last decade has been one of the most inspiring stories on the continent. Known as the Silverbacks, they have consistently performed beyond expectations, proving their place among the continent’s best teams. Their spirited play is led by Robinson Opong, Deng John Geu, and Ishmail Wainright, with younger talents like Naseef Lubowa and Tejan Joel Rugette contributing to the team’s competitive and fearless nature.

At the 2021 AfroBasket, Uganda achieved a historic milestone by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. This accomplishment shifted regional perceptions of Ugandan basketball. Although the team faced a significant challenge in their recent AfroBasket campaign with the loss of Jackson Moni during the first game, leaving them short on size, they demonstrated resilience and flashes of potential that suggest a brighter future.

The Siverbcks have a new coach in Goran Lojo from Bosnia, who led his country (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to a fifth-place finish in the 2021 Women’s Eurobasket.

The Silverbacks benefit from strong team cohesion and can be deadly in transition. However, their challenges include maintaining scoring consistency across the entire team and avoiding foul trouble. Nevertheless, the rise of the Silverbacks is no longer surprising, and they enter this competition believing they can challenge even the giants of Group D.

Outlook

Group D presents a compelling clash between tradition and ambition. Angola and Egypt, both seasoned contenders with established structures, enter as the clear favourites, but they should expect fierce competition. Mali’s youthful momentum is on the rise, and Uganda’s growing confidence could ignite another unforgettable journey.

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Diarra finally grasps the power basketball has to change his life

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FOR many basketball players, the moment that sparked their love for the game might have been a highlight reel dunk or a game-winning shot. Some may reference legendary players like the late Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, or Stephen Curry as their inspiration to play the game.

However, for 22-year-old Aliou Diarra, the beginning of his basketball journey was a little different.

Growing up, Diarra and his childhood friends often visited a large fruit tree in their neighbourhood, where they picked fruit and played games. He was the tallest of the group and could easily reach the fruit, but it wasn’t until a stranger suggested that he try basketball. The chance meeting would later help in evoking his passion for the sport.

Diarra is a long way from picking fruit in his neighbourhood. He is now a grown man who has taken the BAL by storm. The 22-year-old averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks during the recent Kalahari Conference with Morocco’s FUS da Rabat. He has recorded nine double-doubles since his debut in the tournament last year.

Aliou Diarra in action at the Kalahari Conference. — **Aliou Diarra has taken the BAL by storm since his debut last season. Pictures: BAL and FIBA**

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Diarra spoke about his time with Stade Malien, the language barriers he has faced, the NBA Summer League and his time with Moroccan club FUS Rabat.

Stade Malien scouted Diarra while playing in the city of Kayes in the western part of Mali. From there, Diarra would go on to have an electrifying 2023 Road To BAL debut with Stade Malien, finishing with a double-double (11.8 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game). Despite putting up solid numbers for his former club, Diarra had not fully grasped the power that basketball could have in changing his life.

“I did not basketball that seriously until last year in Dakar during the Sahara Conference (last year),” says Diarra. “Once I started putting in an effort, I realized that the sport could be good for me and so I decided to take it more seriously because maybe it could change my life.”

The Cinderella-type performance during their BAL Season 3 led the Malian club to a podium finish after defeating Petro de Luanda in the third-place game behind Diarra’s 25 points and 12 rebounds.

Along with the historic finish of Stade Malien, Diarra was also crowned BAL Defensive Player of the Year and got All BAL First Team and BAL All-Defensive Team honours last year. Diarra had the opportunity to travel to the US for the NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks, an experience that widened his horizons to what the sport could do for him.

“I learned a lot playing with the Bucks, I had some workouts with professional coaches who saw and believed in my potential. I am trying to implement what I learned in the US with FUS,” says Diarra. “The coaches at the Summer League told me that my future is bright and I trust them. I also trust myself and I am working hard to make that future a reality.”

The experience in the Summer League helped break down the language barrier that Diarra, who speaks fluent Bambara and a little bit of French.

“Last year the language barrier was an obstacle, but going to the USA helped me. I learnt a little bit of English and that gave me the confidence when I joined FUS,” said Diarra.

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Moving to a different country often comes with challenges, such as adapting to new cultures, societal norms and language barriers. However, Diarra’s time with FUS molded him into a different and much better player than he was in his BAL debut season.

“When I was playing with Stade Malien, I used to do things my way and play the way I wanted. That did not always align with the coach’s and the team’s needs. However, since I started playing with FUS, things have changed significantly,” says Diarra. “I have become more disciplined, taking a more professional approach because I understand that this sport could change my life, and I need to take things more seriously than I did in Bamako.”

FUS concluded the first round of Season 4 by finishing at the top of the Kalahari Conference with a 3-1 record. According to Diarra, the team’s success can be attributed to their cohesion and chemistry. This is something they built over the past six months.

“Since September, we have been training together and playing in the domestic league together. There was never a question about the so-called ‘import’ players because we know each other so well. We know each other’s habits and that makes us a strong team,” says Diarra. “As for myself, I fit well into the team thanks to the experienced players who have helped me learn and grow as a basketball player, but more importantly as a man too.”

Aliou Diarra playing for Stade Malien. — **Aliou Diarra, playing in the 2023 Road To BAL, was scouted by Malian club Stade Malien.**

To finish top of the Kalahari Conference was the first goal for FUS, now the focus will be on the domestic league until the start of the BAL playoffs in Kigali (May 24 – June 1).

“Qualifying for the playoffs is a very big accomplishment, but this is just the first step for us. We gave our best to come out as the leader of this Conference. Now we look forward. We would like to make it far into the playoffs.”

Two months remain between FUS and their second objective of progressing through the playoffs. As for Diarra, he’ll be refining his skills and hoping they will take FUS to the promised land.

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