The easiest way for South Sudan to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics is to beat Angola and wait for Egypt's loss against New Zealand. As for Egypt, it would need to win against New Zealand and wait for South Sudan's loss against Angola.
Saturday will be a big day for the African teams in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as five teams continue to battle for one direct ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
So far, South Sudan (2-2) and Egypt (2-2) have the best odds of becoming the best African team in the competition, but currently, all five teams remain in contention because all of them could end up with a 2-3 record.
African teams' records in FIBA World Cup
| Team | Current record | Point difference | Upcoming opponent |
| South Sudan | 2-2 | +2 | Angola |
| Egypt | 2-2 | +3 | New Zealand |
| Angola | 1-3 | -19 | South Sudan |
| Cape Verde | 1-3 | -57 | Japan |
| Ivory Coast | 1-3 | -50 | France |
The format criteria, rules, and tiers
First-placed teams in the groups M, N, O, and P will be classified 17th-20th, second-placed will come in from 21st to 24th, third-placed will get 25th-28th spots, and the fourth will occupy 29th-32nd positions.
South Sudan / Schedule
South Sudan
Puerto Rico
China
Serbia
Philippines
AngolaIf 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of all games in the group, the game(s) between these 2 or more teams shall decide on the classification.
If these 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of the games between them, further criteria shall be used in the following order:
- Higher game points difference of the games between them.
- Higher number of game points scored in the games between them.
- Higher game points difference of all games in the group.
- Higher number of game points scored in all games in the group
In case of ties in the same classification tier, for example, if two African teams will end up in the 17th-20th places bracket, point difference will come into play.
Since the whole theoretical picture might become very complicated, BasketNews takes a look at South Sudan and Egypt's situations -- two teams that currently have the highest chances of becoming the best African team.
Only the least complicated ways are included, but it's important to notice that the results in other groups and matchups between many teams could have a significant impact, depending on Saturday's results.
South Sudan would clinch a spot in the Olympics if:
- South Sudan beats Angola, and
- New Zealand beats Egypt
OR
- South Sudan must win against Angola by at least 3 points more than Egypt wins against New Zealand.
Egypt would clinch a spot in the Olympics if:
- Egypt beats New Zealand, and
- Angola beats South Sudan
OR
- Egypt must win against New Zealand by at least 1 point more than South Sudan wins against Angola.
17th-32nd teams groups standings
Group M
| # | Team | GM | W | L | PPG | PPG A | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Sudan | 4 | 2 | 2 | 88.8 | 88.3 | 0.5 |
| 2 | China | 4 | 1 | 3 | 76.0 | 94.3 | -18.3 |
| 3 | Angola | 4 | 1 | 3 | 72.5 | 77.3 | -4.8 |
| 4 | Philippines | 4 | 0 | 4 | 75.5 | 86.0 | -10.5 |
Group N
| # | Team | GM | W | L | PPG | PPG A | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 4 | 2 | 2 | 81.5 | 80.8 | 0.8 |
| 2 | Mexico | 4 | 1 | 3 | 79.3 | 96.8 | -17.5 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 4 | 1 | 3 | 85.3 | 94.3 | -9 |
| 4 | Jordan | 4 | 0 | 4 | 72.3 | 95.5 | -23.3 |
Group O
| # | Team | GM | W | L | PPG | PPG A | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 4 | 2 | 2 | 84.0 | 88.8 | -4.8 |
| 2 | Finland | 4 | 1 | 3 | 83.8 | 93.5 | -9.8 |
| 3 | Cabo Verde | 4 | 1 | 3 | 73.8 | 88.0 | -14.3 |
| 4 | Venezuela | 4 | 0 | 4 | 74.0 | 84.3 | -10.3 |
Group P
| # | Team | GM | W | L | PPG | PPG A | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 4 | 2 | 2 | 79.5 | 79.3 | 0.3 |
| 2 | Lebanon | 4 | 1 | 3 | 79.0 | 101.5 | -22.5 |
| 3 | Ivory Coast | 4 | 1 | 3 | 74.0 | 86.5 | -12.5 |
| 4 | Iran | 4 | 0 | 4 | 62.0 | 84.5 | -22.5 |
