Robinson Opong

THE FIBA Basketball World Cup Africa Qualifiers are set resume with Group D action taking place in Cairo, Egypt and the Pharaohs will welcome 2025 AfroBasket champions Angola, AfroBasket finalists Mali, and Uganda, all looking to get a head start in the first round. Ahead of the qualifiers (February 26 – March 1), The Big Tip Off’s Sindiswa Mabunda reviews the Group D teams and what they will bring to court when the qualifiers begin.

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.