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The African qualifiers for the 2023 Men’s Basketball World Cup have started for groups B and D, between February 25 and 27, 2022 near Dakar. In Group D, Senegal, DR Congo and Egypt are tied on points (5) with 2 wins and 1 loss each. In group B, Cameroon is in difficulty with already 2 defeats.
Diamniadio’s Dakar Arena was the scene of several surprises in African qualifying for the next Men’s Basketball World Cup (August 25 to September 10, 2023, in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines). One of the first was the 62-57 victory of the DR Congo team against that of Senegal, in group D. The Senegalese were certainly deprived of many major players, retained in the North American league (NBA) or in European cups like the Euroleague.
Still, the DRC settled in second place in the standings, behind Senegal, despite a 62-51 defeat against Egypt. The Egyptians are also tied on points (5) with the Senegalese and the Congolese, far ahead of the Kenyans (three defeats), before the second day of these qualifiers which will take place from 1is to July 3.
Cameroon struggles, South Sudan a hit
The other surprise of this weekend was the full card of South Sudan, in group B, with three successes in as many meetings. Although this country has been producing talented basketball players for a long time, its national team is only beginning to reap the rewards. It started with a 7e place at the last African Nations Championship (Afrobasket 2021). Will it continue in 2023?
In the meantime, the South Sudanese offered themselves the luxury of beating African champions Tunisia 72-64. Carthage Eagles certainly also diminished by absences but who still beat Cameroon (55-51) and Rwanda (65-51). Cameroonians who thus leave Dakar with a negative record of two defeats for a 57-45 victory against the last Rwandans. The Indomitable Lions will have to raise the bar in four months, if they want to play the first Basketball World Cup in their history…