Senegal have moved to the top of the latest FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers Power Rankings, showing a major change in African basketball.
Angola and the fast-rising South Sudan are close behind, proving how competitive basketball on the continent has become. Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Egypt, and Mali make up the rest of the top seven.
The biggest surprise is Nigeria’s fall to eighth place a shocking position for a country once seen as a dominant force.
D’Tigers, known for beating strong international teams and producing top basketball talents, are now facing the reality that their recent results do not match their potential.
Nigeria’s problems come from years of instability, including frequent changes in coaches, administrative challenges, and irregular player availability.
While Nigeria struggled, other countries with better organisation and stronger team unity such as South Sudan and Senegal continued to improve.
Even so, the rankings are both a warning and an opportunity.
Nigeria still has some of the best natural talent in Africa, with strong athletes, overseas-based stars, and promising young players at home.
With better management, consistency, and focus, D’Tigers have what it takes to rise again.
