Salah Mejri (TUN) Tunisia v Rwanda, Day 6 of the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 25 August, Preliminary Round
TUNIS (AfroBasket 2015) - AfroBasket 2015 is just around the corner so here is a look at the four teams making up Group A and their chances in the tournament, which runs from 19-30 August in Rades, Tunisia.
The most cosmopolitan of all, Group A brings together teams from the North, East, West and the central part of the African continent.
TUNIS (AfroBasket 2015) - AfroBasket 2015 is just around the corner so here is a look at the four teams making up Group A and their chances in the tournament, which runs from 19-30 August in Rades, Tunisia.
The most cosmopolitan of all, Group A brings together teams from the North, East, West and the central part of the African continent.
But Nigeria and AfroBasket 2011 champions Tunisia seem to be the strongest contenders for the top place in the group, while AfroBasket debutants Uganda and the Central African Republic (CAF) should battle for third place.
Both Salah Mejri (Tunisia) and Ike Diogu (Nigeria) have become pivotal, and are expected to remain relevant in Tunisia.
In the build-up to the AfroBasket, Tunisia recorded three wins and three defeats, providing the hosts some confidence, mainly as two of those wins came against AfroBasket teams (Algeria and Cameroon).
On the other hand, Nigeria's two wins over China last week in Rome, indicate the team's evolution over the course of the last two weeks.
But what makes this group tricky is the fact that the winner will only be revealed when Nigeria and Tunisia face each on 23 August, in a must-watch game between two legitimate title contenders.
It remains to be seen whether Nigeria are capable of repeating their 2012 Olympics Games win over Tunisia, on their home court.
Nevertheless, as a result of Nigeria's poor performance at AfroBasket 2013 where they finished seventh - their worst result since 1987 - the Western African team dropped six places in the FIBA Men Ranking, trailing the top two teams on the continent, Angola and Tunisia.
However, this year's AfroBasket is seen by the Nigerians as an opportunity to launch a new chapter in their basketball history and to open their group A campaign with a win against CAF seems realistic.
A thorough look at the rosters of both teams and it becomes clear why Nigeria currently hold a 7-0 head-to-head advantage.
Lining up talented and athletic rosters, mainly comprised of Nigerian-Americans, is nothing new for Nigeria, who hired American head coach Will Voigt.
American basketball influence is real for the Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Ugandans will be making their AfroBasket debut, trying to gather some experience, but facing Tunisia on Day 1 should be their biggest challenge of the tournament.
When CAF take to the court for their second game, they will try to beat Tunisia for the first time in the last two editions of AfroBasket.
But, despite being the group’s underdogs, Mandy Juruny, Uganda’s head coach, has recently told FIBA.com his team “will be ready for the fight,” no matter who they play.
The team that finishes on the top step of the podium will automatic qualify for the 2016 Olympics, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams will compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).
The competition will be played in a round robin format, with every team taking on its three opponents in its respective group.
Both Salah Mejri (Tunisia) and Ike Diogu (Nigeria) have become pivotal, and are expected to remain relevant in Tunisia.
In the build-up to the AfroBasket, Tunisia recorded three wins and three defeats, providing the hosts some confidence, mainly as two of those wins came against AfroBasket teams (Algeria and Cameroon).
On the other hand, Nigeria's two wins over China last week in Rome, indicate the team's evolution over the course of the last two weeks.
But what makes this group tricky is the fact that the winner will only be revealed when Nigeria and Tunisia face each on 23 August, in a must-watch game between two legitimate title contenders.
It remains to be seen whether Nigeria are capable of repeating their 2012 Olympics Games win over Tunisia, on their home court.
Nevertheless, as a result of Nigeria's poor performance at AfroBasket 2013 where they finished seventh - their worst result since 1987 - the Western African team dropped six places in the FIBA Men Ranking, trailing the top two teams on the continent, Angola and Tunisia.
However, this year's AfroBasket is seen by the Nigerians as an opportunity to launch a new chapter in their basketball history and to open their group A campaign with a win against CAF seems realistic.
A thorough look at the rosters of both teams and it becomes clear why Nigeria currently hold a 7-0 head-to-head advantage.
Lining up talented and athletic rosters, mainly comprised of Nigerian-Americans, is nothing new for Nigeria, who hired American head coach Will Voigt.
American basketball influence is real for the Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Ugandans will be making their AfroBasket debut, trying to gather some experience, but facing Tunisia on Day 1 should be their biggest challenge of the tournament.
When CAF take to the court for their second game, they will try to beat Tunisia for the first time in the last two editions of AfroBasket.
But, despite being the group’s underdogs, Mandy Juruny, Uganda’s head coach, has recently told FIBA.com his team “will be ready for the fight,” no matter who they play.
The team that finishes on the top step of the podium will automatic qualify for the 2016 Olympics, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams will compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).
The competition will be played in a round robin format, with every team taking on its three opponents in its respective group.
By: FIBA.com
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