AfroBasket 2025 Group Draw: Uganda Faces Group of Death Challenge
The group draw for AfroBasket 2025, which everyone has been waiting for, is now finished. This gets things ready for what should be an exciting continental championship in Angola. There were four groups of 16 qualified countries, and Uganda’s Group D is the one that has gotten the most attention.
Group D: Uganda Drawn Against Big African Basketball Teams
Uganda that is becoming a strong force in East African basketball, is in Group D, which is often called the “Group of Death.”
- Egypt is a rival in the region and has won the AfroBasket five times.
- Senegal came in third in 2021 and has a lot of good players.
- Mali is known for their tough style and strong defense.
This will be a true test for Uganda, which has made significant progress recently. The Silverbacks have earned their place by playing with passion and growing in strength in the area, even though they don’t have the same legacy as their rivals.
A Closer Look at Uganda’s Group D Rivals
Egypt is a mix of experienced players and young stars in the tournament. Every meeting with Uganda’s Zone V rival is both a strategic and emotional one.
Senegal has won five AfroBasket titles and continues to produce top players, many of whom play in the NBA and Europe. Their organized play and athleticism make them early favorites.
Despite their toughness and discipline in battle, Mali is frequently forgotten. You can’t take them lightly because they’ve defeated some of the top teams in the past.
Group A: The Ivory Coast and the DR Congo are in the mix.
Group A has an interesting mix:
- Ivory Coast came in second in 2021 and wants to do even better this time.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: a strong, unpredictable team
- Cape Verde: always competitive and good at what they do • Rwanda: a new team that is getting more confident
Ivory Coast’s “golden generation” wants to finish their journey with a championship, but DR Congo and Cape Verde want to ruin their plans.
Group B: Tunisia Starts Its Title Defense
Champions who are defending Tunisia is at the top of Group B, along with:
- Nigeria, the 2015 winners, hopes to bounce back after some recent problems.
- Cameroon: talented but not always consistent • Madagascar: new to the tournament and bringing new energy
Tunisia is a threat because they play well together and have won three titles. Nigeria is always able to put on great shows because it has so much talent in its diaspora.
Group C: Hosts Angola Meet South Sudan
Group C has the teams that are hosting the tournament. Angola has won the most AfroBasket titles, with 11. Along with them will be South Sudan, which has NBA-level players and is on the rise.
- Guinea: tough and getting better fast
- Libya: Unpredictable and athletic
All of the Group C games will be very interesting, especially when Angola plays in front of their home fans.
Tournament Format & Schedule
The AfroBasket 2025 will be held from August 12 to 24 in two Angolan cities.
Cities and venues that host
- Namibe: Group stage games at Pavilhao Multiusos Welwitschia Mirabilis (3,500 seats)
- Luanda: Knockout stage games at Kilamba Arena (12,700 seats)
Match Schedule
- Group stage (round-robin) from August 12 to 17
- Round of 16 (knockout qualifiers) from August 18 to 19
- Quarterfinals from August 20 to 21
- Semifinals from August 23 to 24
- Final and 3rd place playoff on August 24
The knockout phase will decide the final standings and the eventual champion. The top two teams from each group move on to this phase.
Uganda’s Road Ahead
The Silverbacks need to be disciplined, energetic, and accurate in order to get through this tough group. Key factors include:
- Strong starts, each game should start quickly to set the tone;
- Bench depth, players who come off the bench need to make a difference;
- Keeping turnovers to a minimum, keeping the ball will be important against experienced teams
Uganda will probably need to win at least one surprise game to get to the quarterfinals. Their game against Mali could be very important.
More Than Just a Game: AfroBasket as a Reflection of Culture
AfroBasket has always been about more than just sports. It shows off African pride, identity, and change. In 2025, the story includes:
- South Sudan’s meteoric rise
- Tunisia and Senegal’s fight for dominance
- Uganda’s desire for continental legitimacy
AfroBasket 2025 promises great basketball and great stories for both fans and analysts.
