The fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers has significantly tightened the race in Group E. With important victories, surprises and changes at the top of the standings, all six teams remain involved in an intense battle to secure one of the precious tickets to Qatar.
After nine games played by each team, Cameroon and South Sudan currently occupy the top two spots, but Guinea, Tunisia and Nigeria remain firmly in contention.
Cameroon Remains on Top Despite Heavy Defeat
Cameroon remains at the top of Group E with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, level with South Sudan. The Indomitable Lions delivered a strong performance by defeating Nigeria 78-62 in their opening game of the fourth window, before securing a convincing 83-61 victory over Tunisia.
However, the final day produced a major surprise. Guinea handed Cameroon a heavy 90-67 defeat, confirming that the qualification race remains completely open. Despite the setback, Cameroon remains at the top of the standings.
South Sudan Joins Cameroon at the Top
One of the biggest winners of this window was undoubtedly South Sudan. The Bright Stars won their three games during the fourth window, including victories over Guinea (81-71) and Nigeria (82-79). They then closed out the window with another win against Tunisia (79-75).
Thanks to this run of results, South Sudan now has a record of 7 wins and 2 losses, identical to Cameroon. The two teams currently occupy the top two qualifying spots in Group E.
Guinea Pulls Off One of the Window's Biggest Upsets
Guinea also made a strong impression during the fourth window. After losing to South Sudan (81-71), Guinea bounced back in impressive fashion by defeating Cape Verde 81-61, before producing one of the biggest surprises of the window by crushing Cameroon 90-67.
The victory keeps Guinea within striking distance of the top two, with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses. Currently third in Group E, Guinea still has a strong chance of qualifying ahead of the final window.
Tunisia and Nigeria Still in the Race
Tunisia opened the window with an important victory over Cape Verde (60-56), but then suffered two defeats against Cameroon (61-83) and South Sudan (75-79).
Nigeria, meanwhile, experienced a mixed window. After losing to Cameroon (62-78), the D'Tigers bounced back with a convincing 100-84 victory over Cape Verde before narrowly falling to South Sudan 79-82.
Tunisia and Nigeria now have identical records of 5 wins and 4 losses, keeping them mathematically alive in the race for the World Cup.
Cape Verde in Trouble
Cape Verde endured a difficult fourth window, suffering three consecutive defeats. The Cape Verdeans lost to Tunisia (56-60), Guinea (61-81) and Nigeria (84-100), and currently sit at the bottom of Group E with a record of 3 wins and 6 losses.
Their situation is now particularly difficult heading into the final window.
Group E Standings After the Fourth Window
A Decisive Final Window Awaits
According to the qualification format, the top two teams from each of Groups E and F will qualify directly for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, along with the best third-placed team from the two groups.
Five African nations will therefore earn qualification for the global tournament hosted in Qatar. With only a few points separating the leading teams in Group E, the final stretch promises to be particularly exciting.
The final window of the African Qualifiers will take place in February 2027 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.