National teams preparing for the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers have begun naming preliminary squads, and the official FIBA tracker already points to a deep pool of talent converging on Dakar and Radès.
The next 24 games are scheduled from 27 to 30 August. FIBA stresses that the published lists come from national federation announcements and may not be identical to the final rosters used in competition, but they offer the clearest early picture of the personnel available for a pivotal second-round window.
Established internationals join emerging options
Cameroon’s preliminary group includes Christian Koloko, Yves Missi, Ulrich Chomche, Paul Eboua and Jeremiah Hill among a 20-player selection coached by Alfred Aboya. Nigeria’s 12-name list features Josh Okogie, Chima Moneke, Udoka Azubuike, Caleb Agada and Chimezie Metu under head coach David Fizdale.
South Sudan have named a broad 24-player pool led by head coach Royal Ivey. Carlik Jones, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, Nuni Omot and Peter Jok are among the listed options, while the size of the group gives the staff room to assess combinations before the final competition roster is settled.
Cape Verde’s preliminary selection includes Edy Tavares and experienced forwards Ivan Almeida and Betinho Gomes. Guinea have listed Mamadi Diakite, Alpha Diallo, Sekou Doumbouya and Shannon Evans, giving the Group E field another reminder that the margins in Radès may be narrow.
Dakar contenders reveal their depth
Senegal’s federation announcement produced a 17-player list including Brancou Badio, Karim Mane, Amar Sylla, Ibou Baji and Jean Jacques Boissy. The hosts enter Group F at 5-1, level with Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, and their choices will be watched closely because home-court advantage comes with expectations.
Côte d’Ivoire’s preliminary group contains Kobi Simmons, Nisre Zouzoua, Maxence Dadiet, Jean-Philippe Dally and Patrick Tape. Mali have included Oumar Ballo and Adama Sanogo in a list that also features Aliou Diarra, Fousseyni Traore and Siriman Kanoute.
Angola’s options include Bruno Fernando, Childe Dundao and Selton Miguel. Egypt’s long list features Ehab Amin, Assem Marei, Anas Mahmoud and Patrick Gardner, while DR Congo have named Yannick Nzosa, Florent Thamba and Jordan Sakho among their preliminary choices.
Those names do not guarantee minutes or even final selection. Availability, medical checks and federation decisions can still change the picture. The useful signal is the breadth of experience being considered at a stage when every result carries forward into the qualification race.
Why the roster phase matters
Window basketball compresses preparation and competition into a short period. Coaches need players who can absorb a game plan quickly, recover between fixtures and handle unfamiliar opponents. A strong preliminary list creates options, but the final balance between shooting, ball handling, rim protection and defensive versatility will matter more than reputation alone.
The two host cities present different competitive stories. Group E in Radès starts with six live contenders, led by Cameroon at 5-1 and followed by four teams at 4-2. In Dakar, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali share the Group F lead at 5-1, with Angola close behind at 4-2.
FIBA’s tracker should therefore be read as a moving document rather than a final team sheet. It confirms the ambition of the federations and identifies the players in the selection conversation. The decisive information will come when final rosters are confirmed and the ball goes up on 27 August.
