Angola will host the AfroBasket 2017 from 19 to 30 August, replacing the Republic of Congo, FIBA Africa announced on its website.
The decision comes following the withdrawal of the Republic of Congo, who pointed to logistics issues as the reason for its inability to host Africa’s flagship basketball competition.
The decision on the selection of the new host was made after a meeting in Bamako, Mali between the Angolan Basketall Federation (FAB) and the FIBA Africa board. This is the third time that Angola hosts the event (1989, 1999 and 2007).
The 16 teams competing in the AfroBasket 2017 are: reigning champions Nigeria; Angola; Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa. Guinea and Rwanda, received each a wild card to attend the competition.
An additional wild card will be allocated in order to select the Republic of Congo’s replacement.
Source: ANGOP, FIBA Africa