Joe Apu

Despite losing two games in the final round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African qualifiers and finishing 10-2, Nigeria had retained the number one spot on the African continent.

In the latest ranking for men after FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifiers Window 6, Nigeria remained the highest-ranking African nation at 33 on the log with 296.0 points.

Senegal moved two steps up to occupy the second spot on the continent with 269.4 points and 37 on the global log; Angola fell three spots to place third and 39 with 262.5 points, Tunisia is in fourth place, 51 in the world, while Egypt is the fifth best team on the continent, but is at 52 on the global log.   

This latest ranking served as the basis to determine the seeds and pots for the draw of the first 32-team World Cup. The top seeds would be tournament hosts, China and the seven best ranked qualified teams – USA, Spain, France, Serbia, Argentina, Lithuania and Greece.

Meanwhile, President of the world basketball ruling body, (FIBA), Horacio Muratore had congratulated Nigeria and the 31 other teams that made it to the FIBA Basketball World Cup billed for China in the summer of (August 31-September15) at the conclusion of the final window of the qualifiers on Monday.

In a congratulatory message, Muratore said: “On FIBA’s behalf, we wish to congratulate all 32 teams that have qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.”

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