DR Congo

GROUP B of the Basketball World Cup Africa Qualifiers will tip off in Dakar, Senegal, with the host nation welcoming Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo and Madagascar (February 26 – March 1) at the Stade Marius Ndiaye. The Big Tip Off’s Sindiswa Mabunda previews the group and the chances of the competing teams. 

Senegal

Senegal remains one of Africa’s most storied basketball nations, a perennial favourite whenever continental competition begins. At the recent AfroBasket, the Lions of Teranga displayed moments of dominance fuelled by one of the strongest backcourts in Africa, led by Brancou Badio and Jean Jacques Boissy, but inconsistency crept in at crucial stages.

The third-place finish was respectable, but Senegal’s ambitions extend far beyond the podium. Having last appeared at the FIBA World Cup in 2019 and missing out on 2023, this qualifying campaign carries a sense of urgency.

Head coach Ngagne De Sagana Diop has instilled defensive discipline and fast-paced transition play. Nonetheless, the team’s success will depend on depth and execution. If Senegal can rediscover the rhythm that once made them Africa’s most feared team, they’ll be the side to beat in Group B.

DR Congo

For the Leopards of DR Congo, the challenge is no longer talent; it’s cohesion. On paper, they have the athleticism and individual skill to match any team on the continent. Their AfroBasket campaign, however, revealed lapses in concentration that often swung close games away from them.

Jordan Sakho stood out with his interior presence, but the supporting cast struggled to maintain offensive flow. The Leopards’ last World Cup Qualifier run ended in disappointment, but recent investments in local development and diaspora integration signal a program on the rise.

If DR Congo can synchronise their defensive effort with better shot selection and composure under pressure, they could easily play the role of disruptors in this group, and possibly emerge as dark horses for qualification.

Madagascar

Madagascar continues to write its basketball story one learning curve at a time. Their AfroBasket performance showed flashes of energy and commitment, even against far more experienced opponents. The island nation may have failed to progress beyond the group stage, but they gained valuable experience that could serve them well in this qualifying cycle.

The team lacks size and depth, but compensates with speed, ball movement, and chemistry. For Madagascar, the 2027 World Cup qualifiers offer more than just results; they provide a platform for development and growth. Each game is an opportunity to test their resilience and close the gap with Africa’s elite. If they can sharpen their perimeter shooting and maintain defensive focus, they could make life difficult for more established teams in the group.

Côte d’Ivoire

If there’s one team in Group B that knows how to navigate qualifying campaigns, it’s Côte d’Ivoire. The Elephants have become a model of consistency in African basketball: disciplined, composed, and relentlessly competitive. Their balanced mix of veterans and rising stars continues to set the tone for others to follow.

At AfroBasket, Côte d’Ivoire’s defensive intensity and well-drilled structure once again stood out. On the global stage, their 2023 World Cup appearance reaffirmed their growth and adaptability. Players like Nisre Zouzoua, Matt Costello, Solo Diabate, and Assemian Moulare embody the nation’s identity, the collective over an individual, patient yet explosive when required.

Even if some of their key figures are unavailable due to club commitments, Côte d’Ivoire’s tactical organisation ensures that the system, not the star, remains their strongest asset. Expect them to be one of the most difficult teams to break down in this group.

Outlook

Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire enter as clear frontrunners, backed by pedigree and proven systems, but the DR Congo’s raw potential lends unpredictability to this group. Madagascar, meanwhile, approach each fixture as both a challenge and an opportunity to grow. In a short qualifying window where chemistry and execution often outweigh star power, expect fine margins to decide outcomes. Côte d’Ivoire’s structure, Senegal’s firepower, and DR Congo’s physicality set the tone for a tightly contested group.