Representing Africa at the 19th Men's World Basketball Championship, South Sudan, Angola, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt failed to progress beyond the 1st round. However, the South Sudanese managed to secure a direct qualifying ticket for the Olympic Games. Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt and Cameroon will go through to the Olympic qualifying tournament, where the last 4 countries to qualify for Paris 2024 will emerge.
South Sudan finished as the best African nation at the World Cup.
South Sudan is the African revelation of the 2023 World Basketball Championship. Luol Deng's team made it into the top 20 for the first time. This enabled them to finish as the best African nation, synonymous with direct qualification for the Olympic Games. The South Sudanese finished 17th in the world, like Nigeria in 2019. They won 3 of their 5 matches. The South Sudanese squad will be eagerly awaited in Paris in 2024, given the potential of its players.
Reigning African vice-champions Côte d'Ivoire disappointed, especially in view of their group. They were in Pool H with Spain (champions in 2019), Brazil and Iran.The Elephants finished 3rd and were eliminated in the 1st round.However, the Ivorians moved up 2 places in the final ranking to 27th. In 2019, they finished in 29th place. Côte d'Ivoire has qualified for the TQO.
Angola has also made a slight leap forward. The Palancas Negras have moved up one place in the final rankings. 27th in 2019, they are now 26th. The Angolans will also take part in next February's TQO.
Tavares best rebounder
Finally, there's Egypt, who finished 20th.The Pharaohs have improved on the 24th place they achieved in 2014. They will also be taking part in the TQO. However, it should be noted that Cameroon have also qualified for the TQO after winning the pre-Olympic tournament last August in Lagos.
Cape Verde finished 28th in its first appearance. They finished ahead of China, Venezuela, Iran and Jordan. Unfortunately, the Cape Verdeans will not be taking part in the TQO. They will have to be content with the prize for best rebounder, won by Edy Tavares, author of 62 catches during this World Basketball Championship.
In 2019, the 5 representatives were ranked as follows: Nigeria (17th), Tunisia (20th), Angola (27th), Ivory Coast (29th) and Senegal (30th).
Four places still up for grabs for Paris 2024
Germany, Serbia, Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, South Sudan and France (host country) are the qualifiers for the Olympic Games.25 teams will compete for the last 4 tickets to Paris 2024.They are :Bahamas, Bahrain, Cameroon, Croatia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Australia, Montenegro, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Greece, Georgia, Egypt, Finland, New Zealand, Lebanon, Philippines, Mexico, Angola and Ivory Coast.
