Côte d'Ivoire's 3-0 start puts them close to a 2025 AfroBasket spot, but they still need three more wins against Egypt, Central African Republic, and Madagascar to secure their ticket. Can they finish the job?
Last Updated on
February 16, 2025
When we think of the Ivory Coast national team, the first thing that comes to mind is the Elephants, named so due to their tenacity and strength. The team has one of the best sides in Africa. Over the years, it has earned an imposing reputation owing to quick play, tough defense, and unyielding commitment on the court.
In 2025, the Ivorian team continues setting lofty aims, particularly an unprecedented qualification for AfroBasket. The competition serves as an invaluable stepping stone for the Elephants, targeting historical success in the continent's basketball.
To secure this, the players have to go up against a formidable crop of teams during the third and final qualification window, slated to happen on February 21, 2025, at the Palais des Sports de Mahamasina, Antananarivo, Madagascar, with the host nation, the Central African Republic, and Egypt. The mission appears possible for the Elephants, who had previously sparkled during the first window of qualification, played out in February 2024 in Egypt, achieving a perfect three-out-of-three win, capped by an astonishing three-point win (79-76) over the Pharaohs.
The Elephants excel at aggressive defense and exceptional athletic intensity. Their system involves a quick transition from defense to offense, utilizing players' athletic capacity and technical skills. Team play takes center stage, with intelligent point guards dictating the flow of the game, while forceful center players perform well close to the rim and secure rebounds.
Among the prominent players is France's Champagne Basket-playing Jean-Philippe Dally, famous for offense and bringing flair and smoothness to the court. Then there is experienced, unopposed captain Souleymane "Solo" Diabaté, still delivering expertise as a point guard for Petro de Luanda, one of Angola's strongest clubs.
The team is guided by Spanish technician Miguel Ramos, an experienced coach famous for insisting on tough discipline in tactics and a warrior mentality. His approach emphasizes maximizing individual capabilities for the benefit of the team. Under his leadership, the Elephants play an attractive, flowing brand of basketball, one that includes sound defense complemented by quick counters.
With multiple finals under their belt, the Ivorians have already proven themselves to be one of the best basketball nations on the continent. In 2025, their goal is clear: to win the continental crown and qualify for grand international competitions, including the FIBA World Cup.
With a team entire of stars and an unshakable fighting spirit, Angola and the AfroBasket are only minutes away – 120 minutes exactly. For the defending vice-champions, missing out on the AfroBasket would be a contradiction.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
