3 days ago
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From JOE APU, Tripoli
The Libyan capital, Tripoli, is set to host three days of intense competition from February 21 to 23, as teams from Group B and Group E vie for a place in the AfroBasket 2025 tournament in southern Africa this August.
In Group B, Cape Verde enters the qualifiers as the frontrunner with a flawless 3-0 record. Head coach Emanuel Trovoada has largely retained the squad that competed in Monastir, Tunisia, last year. Veteran star Ivan Almeida makes his return to the Blue Sharks, while newcomers Roesly Mendes and Aniel Brito bolster the team’s depth. Shooting guard Patrick Lima, who averages 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, is expected to be a key figure for the 2023 AfroBasket semi-finalists. Almeida and Betinho Gomes (8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds per game) add experience and composure, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.
Hosts Libya, currently second in Group B, are eager to end their 16-year absence from the AfroBasket main event.
The team is spearheaded by prolific guard Mohamed Sadi, who delivered an impressive 17 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game during last year’s qualifiers.
Sadi will be supported by Naseim Badrush, who averaged 13.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. With home-court advantage and passionate local support, Libya hopes to take a decisive step toward qualification.
Uganda, currently third in the group, will rely on the firepower of Robinson Opong, who scored a remarkable 39 points in their lone victory against Nigeria last year. Opong, averaging 23.3 points and eight rebounds per game, is joined by returning former NBA player Ishmael Wainright, forming a dangerous duo capable of game-changing performances.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s D’Tigers, the 2015 AfroBasket champions, face a daunting challenge after finishing the first window of qualifiers without a victory. Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman has made sweeping changes to the squad, retaining only Mike Nuga (21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and four assists per game) and Ibe Agu. With a fresh lineup and a steep uphill battle ahead, Nigeria will need a near-miraculous turnaround to revive their qualification hopes.
Libya’s national team captain Mohamed Sadi says he remains confident that Libya will take all three games starting with Nigeria today.
“This Window is an entirely different one and we’re not taking any team for granted especially with regards to our first game against Nigeria.
They have a different set of players safe for a few and I think that they will come fighting for a win. We respect all the teams but believe we have a job to do here before our home fans to win.”
As the qualifiers unfold in Tripoli, all eyes will be on these teams as they fight for a ticket to AfroBasket 2025.
English (US) ·